LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Chap. . _ „ T _. Copyright No. 
Shelf .__. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE IRONSIDES 



i, and 
Charles Cart 



^o 




THE IRONSIDES 



Arthur Paterson and 

Charles Cartwright. 




46200 

1-ibrwry of Congres* 

Iwo Copies Received 
SEP 12 1900 

Copyright entry 

/ 4eJ. ft//&> 

second copy. 

Delivered to 

OROfcH DIVISION, 
SEP 19 1900 



1 



80107 

Copyright, 1900, by Ueexel Biddle, Publisher 






THE IRONSIDES 



CHARACTERS: 

LORD WILLOUGHBY OF PARHAM, Ser- 
geant Major General Commanding the 
Parliamentary Forces in Lincolnshire. 

COL. FAIRWEATHER, ^ Of the Parlia- 

COL. STRICKLAND, } mentarian 

COL. BROCKLEHURST. J Army. 

CAPTAIN CAPELL. 

LIEUTENANT RALF DANGERFIELD. 

SERGEANT. 

MTCKLEJOHN, Corporal. 

SANCTIFY JORDAN, Trooper. 

MAKEPEACE, Trooper. 

GOODCHILD, Trooper. 

REV. ISAAC HEPWORTH. 

JOHN CLAYPOLE. 

VISCOUNT CHARLTON, Royalist Officer. 

OLIVER CROMWELL. 

MADAM CROMWELL. 

BETTY CROMWELL. 

PHOEBE. 

RACHEL FULLERTON. 



ACTS I. AND II.— Cromwell's House ai 
Ely. 

ACT III.— Stainsby House, Royalist Strong- 
hold. 

ACT IV.— Cromwell's House. 



The Ironsides 



ACT I. 

SCENE— Entrance Hall, Cromwell's House, 
Ely. Time— Morning. 

Madam Cromwell and Betty discovered. 

Phoebe. Sanctify Jordan and another 

maid servant. 

BETTY (Reading from family Bible): 
The transgressors shall be destroyed alto- 
gether, and the wicked shall be cut off. 
(Closes book.) 

(Servants rise.) 

MADAM C: The Lord grant it may be 
soon and the war end. Phoebe, go thou to 
the window. The regiment should be in 
sight. 

PHOEBE: They are not coming yet, 
Madam. 

(Exit Phoebe, Sanctify and maid.) 

MADAM C: I trust there hath been no 
mishap. Repeat to me, child, the news the 
Corporal gave thee. 

BETTY: He said the Malignants were in 
strong force, and disputed stubbornly. 
Father's horse was killed and he was in 
great peril, but Lieutenant Dangerfield 
charged so fiercely with the first troop that 
he drove the enemy before him in confusion, 
saved father's life, and won the day. 

MADAM C: A gallant vouth, a worthy 
youth. Well deserving of his name. 

BETTY: Dost know him, Granny? 

MADAM C: T have not seen him since he 
was an infant. But his grandfather, who 
commanded one of Queen Elizabeth's best 
ships of war. was a dear friend of mine. I 



THE IRONSIDES. 

was then a maid. It was long ago— long, 
long ago. (Sighs.) But 1 desire to see th.s 
youth. Is he comely, tall and gallant? £Ls 
grandfather was the handsomest man than 
1 have ever seen. .Describe ins appearance, 
pussy. 

(filter Rachel R.) 

BETTY: Indeed, Granny, Rachel will do 
that the best. 

MADAM C: (Kissing Rachel.) Thou art 
late, my girlie. 

RACn.h,L: Forgive me, dearest Madam, 
one of the maids is sick. 

MADAM C: And tliou hast done her 
work? Answer not; I know thine unselfish 
ways. I desire thee tell me of this youtn. 
Ralf Dangerfield. What is he l.ke? 

KACHEL: 1 have but spoken to him in 
ordinary greeting. 

BETTY: Fie, oh fie! 

RACHEL: You are a mischief. Granny, 
take no heed of her. 

MADAM C: Come, Betty, then. Thou de- 
scribe him. 

BETTi: He is of rude and awkward 
bearing. 

RACHEL: How can you say so? He is 
a most courteous gentleman. 

BETTY: He is ugly, and one eye, me- 
thinks, hath a decided cast. 

RACHEL: Madam, th.s is a hoax. She 
should be soundly shaken. 

BETTY: (Laughing.) Did I not declare you 
knew him best? See. Granny, naught I say 
can please her. 

MADAM C: Impudent baggage. Have a 
care or I shall take thy chastisement in 
hand myself. Now, Rachel, give me hia 
likeness in all seriousness. You had many 
opportunities of seeing him, for if I mistake 
not he was here when I was away in Lon- 
don. (Aside.) Methinks it was high time I 
should return. 

RACHEL: He fs tall and handsome, with 



THE IRONSIDES. 

dark hair, worn longer than is the custom 
hereabouts, and a high carriage of the 
head; indeed, he is different from any gen- 
tleman I know. 
BETTY: Oh, yes! (Laughs.) 
MADAM C: (With mock sternness.) Eliza- 
beth! Your description, Rachel, mindeth me 
not a little of his grandfather. The Ad- 
miral Dangerfield was very proud. 

RACHEL: I fear the Lieutenant may be. 
When the Captain Capell or my Uncle Hep- 
worth speaks to him his face groweth stern 
and hard. Doth it not, Betty? 

BETTY: Aye— he bites them. I like him 
for it. dear. 

MADAM C: For shame, thou chit. Then 
thy Reverend Uncle, Rachel, loves not the 
L'eutenant? _ 

RACHEL: My uncle saith Master Dan- 
gerfield has lax opinions on religion. He 
threatens to question him upon his faith. 

MADAM C: The reverend gentleman must 
have a care, a Dangerfield brooks not over- 
much authoritv. How doth the Captain like 
the gallant? 

BETTY: He is jealous of him. 

RACHEL: Whv should he be jealous? 

BETTY: (Laughs.) Why indeed? Dear 
Grannv, dost not guess? 

MADAM C: Thou art a wicked child. 

RACHEL: Your mischief is beyond all 
patience. (Moves C. to window.) 

BETTY: Nay. but I speak the truth. I 
watch his eyes* when he is near you, and I 
loner to scratch them out. 

RACHEL: Quick— the door. 

(Bell rmgs.) . n % 

BETTY: It is father. (Runs to door C.) 

(Enter Claypole.) 

What? You? 

CLAY: Ave! 1 have rid full twenty miles. 

BETTY: What for? 

CT,W; To see vou. Mistress. 

BETTY: Then you may ride home again. 

7 



THE IRONSIDES. 

I thought it was my father, and — and (Spite- 
fully to Rachel.) Lieutenant Dangerfield. 

CLAY: (Comes down to Madam C.) Your 
servant, dear Madam. 

MADAM C: A greeting, John. How is 
your worthy father? 

CLAY: In sound health, Madam, but sore 
depressed at the condition oi affairs. 

BETTY: You do not seem depressed. 

CLAY: In your presence, Mistress, 1 could 
not be. 

BETTY: (Aside.) I will depress him. 
(Aloud.) Not when I say I will have naught 
to do with you; that I despise you; that 1 
desire never to see your face again. 

CLAY: What have I done to be treated 
so? 

BETTY: It is not what you do; 'tis what 
you do not do. 

CLAY: Tell me what I fail in, Mistress, 
and I will straightaway do it— I mean I will 
not do it— I mean— I will do whatever you 
desire. 

BETTY: I desire that you be a man. 

CLAY: I am a man. 

BETTY: You, who sit at home, while all 
w.th any spirit go forth and wield the 
sword. You a man, indeed! 

CLAY: Wouldst have me go to war? 
Dost wish that I should die? 

BETTY: I'd have you be a man, I say. 
(Goes to window L. C.) (Clay follows. 
Rachel returns to Madam C. Enter Hep- 
worth, R. C.) 

MADAM C: A greeting, reverend sir. We 
are awaiting- the arrival of my son. 

HEP: I desire his presence urgently. 

MADAM C: You seem in trouble. 

HEP: My mind is sore distressed. 

MADAM C: Then clear thy brow, for a 
victory hath been won at small cost of 
godly Ives. 

HEP: Better that lives be lost than souls. 
I hear that Lieutenant Dangerfield still 
liveth. 

8 



THE IRONSIDES. 

MADAM C: The Lord be praised for that. 

HEP: I have discovered that he is an 
Atheist; he must be dismissed the troop. 

MADAM C: He will be an honoured 
guest to-dav. 

HEP: Then, Rachel, thou wilt leave this 
house. 

RACHEL: Uncle, I cannot. 

MADAM C: That is a matter for the 
Colonel to decide. 

HEP: I am her uncle and her guardian. 

MADAM C: My son also is her guardian. 

HEP: I represent the Parliament. 

MADAM C: This is my son's house, not 
the Parliament's. 

HEP: Would he cherish a viper in his 
bosom? 

MADAM C: We will cherish whom we 
choose, and dispute with whom we choose. 

HEP: By what excuse can he extend his 
favour to an infidel? 

MADAM C: That, sir. is h's affair. It is 
not thine. 

HEP: Then I depart forthwith. Rachel, 
place thyself in immediate readiness. 

RACHEL: You would not take me from 
mv dearest friends? 

HEP: Thou wilt obey me. girl. To thy 
chamber without another word. 

(Rachel rises to obey.) 

BETTY: Hark! they come, they come. 
(At window.) 

(Tramp of horses heard off. Helmets seen 
through windows at back of stage. Ser- 
vants come in L. C. and then open door. 
Cromwell's voice heard off.) 

CROM: Halt! Six men fall out and at- 
tend the prisoner. The rest to quarters. 
(Pause.) March! 

(Tramn of men moving away. Enter 
Cromwell.) 

Thv blessing, dearest mother. (Kneels.) 

MADAM C: May the Lord be thanked for 
His great merev in bringing thee safe homo. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: Amen. (Rises.) Now, Kitten, 
thine embrace. (Catches up Betty and kisses 
her. Rachel kisses his hand. He places one 
hand on her shoulder and turns to Hep- 
worth.) 

(Enter Capell behind.) 

Thy greeting, friend. We have been great- 
ly blessed. 

HEP: I trust you will deserve the mercy. 

CROM: It will be my endeavour. Capell. 
where is thy Drisoner? 

CAPELL: Without, Colonel. 

CROM: Tush! You should not leave him 
there. He is weary and requires refresh- 
ment. Bring him in. 

(Exit Capell C.) 

MADAM C: Whom have ye taken, son? 

CROM: One Viscount Charlton. A brave 
gentleman, though a Papist. He 's a Cap- 
tain in Prince Rupert's Guards. I desire he 
receive all courtesy and kindness at our 
hands. 

BETTY: (Who has been to the door and 
has whispered something to Rachel with a 
shake of the head.) Father, where is Lieu- 
tenant Dangerfield? 

HEP: (Aside.) Can it be that he hath 
fallen? 

CROM: He will be here presently. I sent 
him in search Brampton Grange at Milton, 
where 'tis said there is concealed a store of 
arms and treasure for the King. 

(Enter Capell, followed by Charlton, 
guarded by two dragooners.) 

My Lord, welcome to my poor house. 
Mother, the Viscount Charlton, our— guest. 

CHARL: (Bowing to Madam C. and then 
to Rachel and Betty.) Ladies, your very 
humble servant. Gad, Colonel, I like the 
title — guest. It smacketh so o^" hospital'ty. 
Are these fair damosels your daughters? 

HEP: A shnmeless ruffler. 

CROM: (Looking at Hepworth grimly, t 
I will present them, my Lord. Th's is my 

10 



THE IRONSIDES. 

daughter Elizabeth; this my ward, Mistress 
Rachel Fullerton. 

CHARL: (Bowing low, to which the girls 
respond with deep curtseys.) I called my- 
self a guest. Upon my life, fair ladies, I 
am a captive, held prisoner by your charms. 

HEP: A godless libertine. 

CHARE: (Turning upon him.) Does the 
reverend minister address that word to me? 

HEP- (Raising his hand.) Aye, and I de- 
nounce thee, Malignant. 

CROM: Silence, Presbyter. Nay (As Hep. 
tries to speak again.) Not another word. 
His Eordship is my guest, though an un- 
willing one. My Lord, our maidens are not 
us^d to compliments. We are plain dealing 
folk, and take a speaker at his word. 

CHARE: Pardon, kind host. Yet i' faith, 
I spoke in earnest. I have seen the reigning 
beauties of the Court— the Queen herself, 
God bless her!— but I swear none surpass in 
charms these maidens here. _ 

BETTY: (Laughs.) We thank you kindly, 
sir— mv Lord, I mean. 

(Hep'worth groans.) 

CROM: (Laughing.) A truce, my Lord. 
or vou will turn their heads. Alas, this is 
no time for pretty pleasantries. I must to 
duty, vou unto your chamber, whither re- 
freshment shall be brought you. See to this. 
Capell. I entrust his Lordship to your care. 
Mother, 1 prav you direct the Captain where 
to lodge our guest. I shall be in my library 
a space. Send all despatches thither. 

.Exit L,.) 

(Madam Cromwell and Capell converse ) 

CHARL: (Aside.) Capell— my gaoler! 
Trulv I am a most unlucky dog. Capell— 
whom T soundlv thrashed at Cambridge in 
our student days, for cheating. He remem- 
bers it, and now will pay the score. 

CAPELL: It shall be done, Madam. This 
wav mv Lord. Attend us. men. 

(Goes up stairs C. Charlton follows, paus- 



THE IRONSIDES. 

ing at foot of staircase to bow to Betty and 
Rachel and Madam C.) 

(Exeunt Capell, Charlton and Dragooners.) 

HEP: Madam, dost thou countenance 
that debauchee? 

MADAM C: In my presence, sir, such a 
word is an offence. 

HEP: I am a minister of Gospel, and 
speak as my conscience prompts me. 

MADAM C: (Rising.) There is something 
else but conscience that should be thought 
on by a man when he addresses women. 

HEP: What does any Christian need but 
truth? 

MADAM C: Good manners, sir. 

(Exit R. C.) 

HEP: (Aside.) A woman with a shrewdly 
biting tongue. I shall avoid much converse 
with her in the future. Now, to speak my 
mind to Cromwell. 

(Exit L.) 

(Claypole, Betty and Rachel come down. 
They have been conversing with troopers 
that at intervals pass through hall from 
door C. to door L. with despatches and re- 
turn. "> 

BETTY: What a splendid gentleman : s 
that Viscount! Such elegance! Such court- 
esy' Such a presence! 

CLAY: He is a desperate rake; a rank 
Pan's*, and a roystering cavalier. 

BETTY: (Clasping her hands and laug-h- 
Iner aside.) I love cavaliers, Master Clav- 
pole. 

CLAY: You will now have a pair of them. 

RAPHE!,: A pa^r— who is the other? 

PT AY: Why. Master Lieutenant Danger- 
field. 

RAOHFL: Sir. be careful what you say. 
You should not call onp of our officers by 
such a name, even 'n ioke. 

BETTY: (Lauehins.) Oh. foolish man. 
What hnvo you done? Your fr'end who so 
oft haih protected you from me is now 

12 



THE IRONSIDES. 

your enemy forever. Retreat, lest a worse 
thing happen. But. Rachel. I do believe he's 
right. I have often thought the Lieutenant 
looked a cavalier. . 

CLAY: I can prove he is one. This Vis- 
count is his friend. 

BETTY and RACHEL: (Together.) His 
fr'end? 

CLAY: His dearest friend. They were 
at college, sworn companions. They fought 
in Holland, side by side. Nay, they only 
parted company a week before the war 
broke out. 

RACHEL: It will grieve the Lieutenant 
to find his friend a prisoner. 

CLAY: Harder still for my Lord to be 
prisoner to Capell. 

BETTY: Is he another friend? 

CLAY: A bitter enemy— who will take 
revenge. 

RACHEL: You wrong him. He is a godly 
man. 

BETTY: He saith too many prayers. 

RACHEL: Shame on you— I have heard 
your father much commend him for his 

BETTY: Father's religion is his life, and 
he believes the same of other men who 
prav— lint 1 '] he finds them out. This Captain 
ha*h a religion and a God— but that's him- 
self. . . 

RACHEL: You do him sore injustice. 

BETTY: T hate him. You do not, because 
to you he showeth but one side. But now T 
must go about my bus'ness. Master Clav- 
pole. hast done any work to-day? 

CLAY: r have rid— far. 

BETTY: That is not work. Show, me 
vour hands. Look. Rachel, they are white 
as vours or mine. Yet he calls himselt ;i 
mnn. Come and do some work for me. 
(Moves R.) . , , T , , i 

CLAY: ^Following— sighs.) T would do 
anything for thee. 

13 



THE IRONSIDES. 

BETTY: T will keep you to your word. 
There is some digging in the garden too 
heavy for my strength and oh, so dirty! 
you shall do it until dinner time. 

(Claypole groans. Betty laughs.) 
(Both Exit R.) 

(Rachel moves up to window R. C. as 
Hep worth enters L. and comes down.) 

HEP: (Aside.) I am flouted— scorned. My 
word is set at naught. Rachel disobedient! 
Cromwell insults me. The cause of it that 
son of Satan, Dangerfield. All love him— 
even Cromwell— Cromwell! He is an enemy 
unto the true religion. He is all for liberty 
of sects and toleration. Surely Providence 
guided my steps into his library when he 
was absent, and led me to read that letter 
to his cousin St. John. A letter full of 
slander and abuse against Lord Willoughby. 
the Commander of our army. I have but to 
get that letter in my hands, dispatch it to 
my Lord, and Cromwell would never raise 
his head again. I must get it— I will. But 
how?— how? Alas, I have no head for plot 
and scheme. I need a helper. 

(Enier Cromwell holding letter in his 
hand.) 

(As'de.) Lord! he hath tt ready now to 
send away. 

(Enter Oapell on gallery above. He leans 
over railing, looks down.) 

CROM: (Look'ne round the hall and see- 
ins- Rachel.) Rachel, hither! 

RACHEL: How can I serve you, sir? 

CROM: Take charge of tlrs despatch. At 
noon Corporal Micklejohn will be here for 
orders. See he receives the letter. 

RACHEL: I will give it to him. 

CROM: Tt ,- s ursrent. Bid him mark the 
sunerser'ption. "Oliver St. John, the Parli.-i 
ment House at Westminster. Haste — haste.' 
He must not waste a moment by the wav 
T T pon his arrival he will await Master St 
John's pleasure. But as soon as he recelv 

14 



THE IRONSIDES. 

eth a reply, he must return here with all 
speed. 

RACHEL: The order shall be given in 
those words. 

CROM: (Patting her cheek.) I thank 
thee, child. Well do I know thy careful- 
ness. (Moves C. to front door, which opens.) 

f Enter, Rait followed by four Musketeers. 
Rachel goes upstairs, remains on gallery 
when she hears Ralf's voice.) 

Ha— Lieutenant, your report. ' 

RALF: There was nothing to be found. 

CROM: Searched you the place? 

(Capell descends stairs.) 

RALF: House, barns and stables. There 
was a cellar where I thought to find the 
arms, but it was empty. 

CAPELL: How they did fool thee. 

RALF: It is thou who hast been the coze- 
ner. That letter was a hoax. 

CROM: These are unseemly words to thy 
suneror officer. Lieutenant. 

RALF: I speak them in your presence. 
Colonel, and deliberately. This is not the 
first time the Captain hath played me such 
a trick. 

CAPELL: The trick Is thine. 

('ROM: Silence, sirs! I will not have 
wrangling before the men. Capell. if thou 
canst throw light upon this mystery, do so 
in the fewest words ye may. 

CAPELL: I would ask the Lieutenant a 
few ou^stions. 

RALF: Ask me what you will. 

CAPFLL: D'd vou search every room? 

RAFiF: All but one bed chamber where 
lav a woman dving. 

CAPELL: How know vou she was dv- 
inr? 

RALF: 1 snoke to her chirureeon. 

CAPFLT : Hadst thou ever seen that gen- 
tleman before? 

RALF: T have known h'm vears. 

PA PELL: H : s name? Colonel, mark th-> 
name. 

15 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RALF: Doctor Taunton, of London. 

HEP: A Papist— a black Papist. Physi- 
cian to the Queen. 

RALF: Papist or no— I would trust him 
with my lile. 

CROM: Was it upon his word alone that 
you withheld an examination of the room? 

RALF: I saw the lady, and the .treasure 
was not there. 

CAPELL: In that chamber, Colonel, are 
a score of* muskets, a thousand pounds of 
silver and a hundred swords. 

RALF: A lie. 

CAPELL: Thou wilt recall that word 
w'th shame when the men whom I sent 
after, thee return. Hark— here they be — or 
some of them. 

(Horses' hoofs heard off. Enter Sweet- 
love.) 

CROM: Thy news, Quartermaster. 

SWEET: The treasure and the arms are 
found. Colonel. But the Papist doctor who 
tricked the Lieutenant escaped. 

CAPELL: How now, Lieutenant? 

RALF: T have indeed been cozened! 

CAPELL: You were a good friend to Dr. 
Taunton. 

RALF: I thought him to be an honour- 
able man. 

CAPELL: You think all cavaliers hon- 
ourable. 

RALF: I have found one Puritan that Is 
not. Why did you lead me into such a 
trap? 

CAPELL: I gave strict orders that you 
should search the house. 

RALF: I obeyed your orders in all hon- 
esty and dil'gence. You should have warn- 
ed me of the trickery. 

CAPELL: How well you act the part of 
innocence! 

RALF: T knew naught, I say. 1 would 
have staked my life ^hat it was a house in 
mourning and the woman dying. The very 

16 



THE IRONSIDES. 

bell was muffled, the servants weeping, a 
stillness as of death upon the place. Men 
(Turning to Musketeers.) be not that the 
truth? 

SOLDIERS: Aye, aye; no doubt of it. 

CROM: Thou hast failed in duty, Dan- 
gerfield. 

RALF: (Hanging his head.) I acknowl- 
edge having failed. 

HEP: Colonel Cromwell, this man doth 
stand a traitor self-confessed. He must be 
cashiered. 

(Murmur from troopers.) 

CROM: That is for my judgment, Pres- 
byter, and mine alone. 

HEP: Wouldsr keep him at your side, 
then, after this? 

CROM: Prate not to me.. Capell, is Dan- 
gerfield a traitor? 

CAPELL: I fear me the meanest trooper 
in the ranks, sir, would refuse to serve him. 

SWEET: That is true. 

(Troopers shake their heads and murmur 
again.) 

CROM: Prove your charge, Captain. 

CAPELL: His admissions prove it. 

CROM: Not so. 

CAPELL: How comes this confidence In 
Pap'sts? 

CROM: Thev were friends before the war 
and he knew naught. But you— you knew 
where the treasure lay and the nature of 
this doctor. You knew all this before you 
sent the Lieutenant to the search: but told 
him nothing. 

CAPELL: I put him to a test. 

CROM: You played a trick. 

CAPELL: It was a fair trial of his af- 
fection to the cause. 

CROM: I say— a trick. You like him not. 
and would turn the men against him. That 
was vour motive. Let me hear no more of 
the dispute. Danererfield. you have been 
over credulous. This should be a lesson 

17 



THE IROxVSIDES. 

unto you. Mark it well. I go now to quar- 
ters. Let all messages follow me. 
(Exit C.) 

(Ralf goes up and speaks to Musketeers, 
two of whom salute and 
(Exit C.) 

(Capell and Hep. come down R.) 

Hep: He will hear naught against his 
favourite. 

CAPELL: Hush— wait! 

(Ralf comes down.) 

Lieutenant, the Colonel speaketh well; 
we must not quarrel. 

RALP: I have no wish to quarrel. 

CAPELL: Well said. Now— to duty. A 
prisoner of some rank was taken bearing 
despatches from the King to Rupert. He is 
lodged w ; thin the house. I would leave him 
in your care. 

RALF: Which is his chamber? 

CAPELL: (Pointing.) Yonder. The 
trooper on guard must be relieved. Wilt 
hnve the Quartermaster? 

SWEET: By your leave, Captain, I have 
other duties — 

CAPELL: (Touching him on the arm.) 
Tell me of them. 

((They come down while Ralf gives orders 
to his musketeers, who go off.) 

Reuben, thou must guard tlr's prisoner. 

SWEET: If vou command it— but— 

CAPELL: I 'do command it. The Vis- 
count once saved the Lieutenant's life, and 
will now expect return in kind. Watch 
them. Hush, no more! 

i Ralf comes down.) 

The Quartermaster attends you, Lieuten- 
ant. 

RALF: Relieve the guard then, Reuben, 
until I come to thee. I shall not be long. 

(Sweetlove salutes and goes up the stairs.) 

(Mov : ne- L. As'de.) Who is the prisoner? 
T must see thev treat h : m with humanity. 
(Exit L.) 

18 



THE IRONSIDES. 

HEP: Good Captain, you have been cruel- 
ly wronged. 

CAPELL: I am used to that. 

HEP: Cromwell treats you very hardly. 

C A PELL: He is a hard man. 

HEP: I wonder you serve him. 

CAPELL: I serve the cause, reverend 
sir; not Cromwell. 

HEP: You love not the man? 

CAPELL: Doth the ox love the goad; 
cloth the bondsman love the overseer? Nay. 
1 love not Cromwell. I speak in confidence! 

HEP: Why let him treat you so? 

CAPELL: I bide my time. 

HEP: Friend, if thou wast to hear that 
Cromwell conspired against the cause, 
wouldst give thv help to foil his plans? 

CAPELL: If I could save his life by 
lifting up a finger of one hand, I should 
keep that finger down. 

HEP: Cromwell hath taken Satan to his 
bosom. 

CAPELL: H'st! These walls are full of 
ears. What hath Cromwell done? 

HEP: He hath writ a letter— I have seen 
it— accusing my Lord Willoughby of crime 
and* misdemeanours. This letter is address- 
ed one Oliver St. John. 

CAPELL: A member of the Parliament. 

HEP: Cromwell's cousin. 

CAPELL: What is the full purport of the 
note? 

HEP: He calls the General coward, rake 
and traitor. 

CAPELL: Traitor! 

HEP: He declareth that my Lord plans 
to deliver our army into the hands of the 
enemy. He urges St. John to move in 
Parliament for my Lord's instant dismissal 
from his Dost. 

CAPELL: So that Colonel Cromwell may 
command? 

HEP: T judere that to be his purpose. 
But the letter must not go. 

19 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CAPELL: To intercept a despatch of 
Cromwell's were a perilous enterprise. 

HEP: Cromwell is an enemy unto the 
cause. 

CAPELL: He is the strongest man our 
army hath. Where is the letter now? 

HEP: In my niece's hand. 

CAPELL: Rachel! 

HEP: Cromwell in my presence charged 
her to give it to Corporal Mickeljohn. 

CAPELL: Well? 

HEP: Doth not Cromwell march to-mor- 
row to Lord Willoughby? 

CAPELL: Ave! 

HEP: If the letter reached his Lordship 
first, Cromwell would be arrested. 

CAPELL: Well? 

HEP: Captain, convey the letter unto 
Willoughby. I beseech you perform this 
supreme service to the cause. 

CAPELL: I might— upon conditions. 

HEP: If you laid Cromwell low, the Gen- 
eral would refuse you nothing. 

CAPELL: It is you, sir, not Lord Wil- 
loughby, who must grant what I desire. 

HEP: Then it is thine, good friend, 
thoush it were my life. 

CAPELL: I onlv ask for the hand of 
your niece in marriage. 

HEP: Rachel— marry Rachel! You know 
not what you ask. 

r^PELL: She is your niece and ward. 

HEP: I will urge vour suit. 

CAPELL: That is not enough. 

HEP: T cannot force her incb'nat'ons. 

CAPELL: Promise me her hand in mar- 
r : age. or the letter goes to St. John, and 
Cromwell triumphs. 

HEP: You have some plan, then, for in- 
tercepting" it? 

CAPET L: Have no fears for that— but 
first, vour promise. 

HEP: (Aside.) The cause of true religion 
hsnfs on this. Pie must have his way— I 
make the promise. 

20 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CAPELL: I must have your oath. 

HEP: I swear ir. 

CAPELL: The letter, you said, is to be 
delivered to the Corporal. 

HEP: That is the man. 

CAPELL: He is dull, and very faithful 
unto me. Seek him now. Say that he must 
wait without the door until I call him in, 
when he must say "Aye" to any question 
I may put to him. Tell him that I will ex- 
pla'n all afterwards. , . , 

HEP: I will do as you desire. You think 
vou will succeed? 

CAPELL: I am sure of it. Forget not 
vour part. The day Cromwell falls I wed 
her. 

HEP: But if vou fail, then this fails, too! 

CAPELL: I shall not fail. 

(Enter Rachel on gallery; comes down- 
stairs.) , . 

(Raising his voice.) Failure, reverend sir. 
is a word that has no meaning- to a soldier 
in the cause. Mistress Rachel, wouldst 
countenance any man who failed? 

RACHEL: Not if his cause were just. 

HEP: That was well expressed. Fare- 
well. Captain. May all you attempt meet 
with success. 

(Exit R. C.) 

RACHEL: Have you seen the Corporal, 
sir? 

CAPELL: No. Madam. 

RACHEL: I wonder he is not here. The 
Colonel told me to expect him about noon. 
He is to ride to London with this letter. 

CAPELL: Give me the letter; I will 
search for him. 

RACHEL: T need not trouble you. He 
may be just without. 

(Moves to door C.) 

CAPELL: Madam, I have some serious 
news. ~, , , 

RACHEL: (Coming down.) Oh, what 
hath happened? 

21 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CAPELL: I must first ask you a. ques- 
tion. Canst trust my honour? 

RACHEL: What a strange question. 

CAPELL: I have reason for it. 

RACHEL: I trust you— 

CAPELL: Give me a promise that not a 
word of what 1 tell you shall ever pass 
vour lips. 

RACHEL: I may tell the Colonel? 

CAPELL: Cromwell last of all. 

RACHEL: What can it. be? 

CAPELL: Nay, then, I must hold my 
peace. 

RACHEL: Doth your news concern the 
Colonel? 

CAPELL: It is life or death to Cromwell. 

RACHEL: Then I will promise. 

CAPELL: You hold a letter addressed to 
one Master St. John. 

RACHEL: How know you that? 

CAPELL: I have discovered a vile plot 
against the Colonel. It is well-laid and very 
dangerous, but you have the power to make 
it harmless. 

RACHEL: I would give my life for Col- 
onel Cromwell. 

CAPELL: Amen. 

RACHEL: Who hath laid the plot? 

CAPELL: This Master Oliver St. John, 
trusted by Cromwell as a brother. 

RACHEL: 1 cannot believe that he would 
meditate such crime. 

CAPELL: I know it. Through the grace 
of Providence I overheard some suspicious 
words between two soldiers of my troop. I 
consulted your reverend uncle, who hath 
s<>en th's letter, and I so dealt with one 
soldier that he told me all. His name is 
Corporal Micklejohn. 

RACHEL: Tt was into his hands I was to 
give the letter. 
' CAPELL: Aye! 

RACHEL: Tell me the plot. 

CAPELL: Master St. John— I have this 

22 

LtfC. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

from your uncle— is jealous of Cromwell's 
growing- influence in Parliament, and would 
undo him. Now St. John knew that Crom 
well distrusteth Lord Willoughby, Com 
mander of our army, and tempted the Col 
onel into writing- his opinion of my Lord 
Cromwell, believing the letter to be for St 
John's eyes alone, hath done this with dan 
gorous freedom. 

RACHEL: If the Colonel maketh charges 
he can prove them. 

CAPELL: He will never have the oppor- 
tunity. This letter, Madam, will be taken 
straight unto my Lord. Cromwell will be 
tried for mutinv and shot. 

RACHEL: Heaven forbid! the letter must 
not go. 

CAPELL: You hold the issue in your 
hands. 

RACHEL: I shall go unto the Colonel 
now, and warn him. 

CAPELL: That would be madness. He 
would not listen to a word against his 
cousin, whom he looks on as his mainstay 
in the Parliament. 

RACHEL: But I dare not disobey his di- 
rect command. 

CAPELL: Not to save his life? 

RACHEL: Your words are grave, sir. and 
well meant; but I have no proof of them. 

CAPELL: Then listen here— your uncle 
hath solemnly declared to me— hark! who is 
that without? 

RACHEL: (Going to door.) It is the Cor- 
poral. 

CAPELL: The Corporal! Then you shall 
have the proof— now. Enter there! 

(Enter Corporal.) 

Hither! 

(Corporal salutes and moves down.) 

I have some questions. Corporal, which 
thou must answer. Hast come to bear a 
letter to Master St. John? 

CORP: Aye, Captain. 

23 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CAPELL: But this letter, by Master St. 
John's orders, thou art taking direct to my 
Lord Willoughby. 

CORP: I— hardly catch your meaning. 

CAPELL: Answer— "aye" or "nay." 

CORP: Oh— aye, Captain. 

CAPELL: That will do— without! 
(Exit Corporal.) 

Mark you his confusion! Madam, entrust 
this letter unto me. I will give another to 
the man so like the true one he will not 
know the difference. When he hath taken 
it. to Willoughby he shall be seized, then 
will I tell Cromwell all— and receive his 
thanks. 

RACHEL: Is there no other way? 

CAPELL: None! Choose this instant, or 
it will be all too late. Accept my serv'ce, 
or see Cromwell die, and forever through 
your life have his blood upon your head. 

RACHEL: (Aside.) I must save him. Sir. 
on your oath as a Christian man swear that 
von will preserve the Colonel's life. 

CAPELL: I swenr it, and (Takes letter 
and thrusts it in doublet.) I will tell h'm 
all when the time is ripe. 

(Enter Ralf L.) 

RACHEL: That should be to-morrow. 

CAPELL: To-morrow is too soon. 

(Ralf closes door sharply.) 

CAPELL: (As'de.) DansrernVld! What 
hath he heard and seen? (Aloud.) Madam, 
the L'eutpnant would accost you. 

RACHEL: We will take him in our confi- 
dence. 

CAPELL: I take no one in my confidence. 

RACHEL: T will explain. 

CAPELL: You 'orget vour promise. 

RALF: Tf th's lady doth desire to speak— 
shp ?hal1 snoak. 

CAPELL: Her lips are sealed. 

RALE: (Aside.) What devil's work is 
th ; s° 

RACHEL: I will keep my promise. 

24 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CAPELL: You do well, dear Madam. I 
will now go seek the Corporal. 
(Exit.) 

RALF: (Aside.) There is a plot. I know 
there is a plot. (Aloud.) Dear lady, if there 
is aught that I can do to serve you— com- 
mand me. 

RACHEL: I am truly grateful, but there 
is nothing. 

(Ralf bows and crosses L. to staircase.) 

Are you ill, sir? You look so wan. 

RALF: Nay, notill. 

RACHEL: I fear you are wounded. 

RALF: That is a better word. 

RACHEL: It must be tended instantly. 

RALF: There is no cure. My body is not 
hurt. That were indeed a small matter. I 
would rather have a limb torn from me 
than endure what I suffer now. 

RACHEL: Mean you Brampton Grange? 
But it was only a mistake. 

RALF: Madam, it is by such mistakes a 
soldier loses that which is more precious 
than his life— his honour! "You have fail- 
ed." the Colonel said, "in duty." Every 
word was a sword-thrust through my heart. 
When a soldier fails he is disgraced. I shall 
receive reminders of my failure, stinging 
as the stroke of knotted lash on a raw 
wound. My troopers, whose devotion I have 
always held, will now laugh grimly at their 
officer. Yet think not I shrink from this. 
It is only a just punishment. The torture 
that is unbearable is the knowledge that 
Cromwell's confidence in me hath gone. I 
can bear anything but that. My mind's 
mado up. I shall resign my commission, 
that he may be free to get a better man. 

RACHEL: You will not leave us? 

RALF: Who would miss me? 

RACHEL: Your friends. 

RALF: Thev must despise me. 

RACHEL: I know one who doth not. 

RALF: Have I your sympathy? (Turn- 
ing back.) 

25 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RACHEL: My sympathy and my respect. 

RALF: That indeed doth make a won- 
drous difference. 

RACHEL: Think not, either, that you 
have lost the Colonel's confidence. Have you 
not saved his life? 

(Enter Hepworth R. C. He stands in 
shadow of staircase.) 

RALF: Dearest Madam, you give me 
sweet comfort. (Takes her hand and kisses 
it.) 

HEP: How now, sir? I have found thee 
out at last. Thou art her lover. 

RALF: I was not making love. 

HEP: Lie not to me— ribbald. 

RALF: J pray you moderate your lan- 
guage. None but a man whose cloth and 
age I must respect would say that twice. 

HEP: Wouldst threaten me? Thine im- 
pudence shall be reported to the Colonel. 
Now leave us. 

RALF: Not at your bidding. 

(Enter Cromwell C.) 

RACHEL: Uncle, you are unjust. This 
gentleman hath not deserved your censure. 

HEP: Wouldst thou defy me, too? Nay, 
this passeth all patience. To thy chamber 
and remain there at my pleasure. 

CROM: Stay! Presbyter, the maid is not 
a child. 

HEP: She is my ward. 

CROM: Our ward. 

(Enter Capell C.) 

HEP: 1 claim authority over her by her 
father's will. 

CROM: You claim too much. 

HEP: She leaveth your roof, Cromwell, 
within an hour. 

CROM: Not unless she doth desire it. 

RACHEL: Indeed, I do not wish to go. 

CROM: Then you remain here. Presby- 
ter, mark that. 

HEP: 1 have legal power to compel her to 
obey me. I shall appeal unto the courts. 

CROM: Appeal to whom you will. 

HEP: You saw not that man's behaviour 
to the maid. 

26 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: I know the maid, and trust her. 

Hep: I will go to Parliament. 

CROM: Go! but think not to move me a 
hand's breadth. The maid is happy here, 
and safe. You will be well advised to let the 
matter rest. That is my reading of it. 

HEP: Thou art puffed up with pride, 
Cromwell. Thou art so great a man in 
these eastern counties that thou thinkest 
no one will contradict thee. The time will 
come, and soon, when thou shalt find that 
no man may hold himself above the law. 

CROM: Presbyter, you know me not. I 
am nothing in myself; but I believe the 
Lord hath put me in this place to do His 
work. Wherefore T shall not 1 alter, not be 
afraid, nor ask for any man's approval, but 
go forward resolutely unto the end. 

(Enter Corporal C.) 

What dost here. Micklejohn? 

CORP. (Saluting.) Please you, Colonel, 
I have come for the despatch. 

CROM: It shouid have gone. Rachel, 
give it to him. 

RACHEL: The Captain hath it, s ; r. 

CROM: (Turning sharplv.) The Captain? 

CA PEEL: (Taking packet from doublet 
and handing it to Corp.) It is here; I have 
been searching for the man. 

(Cromwell glances at Capell, then gives 
instructions.) 

HEP- (Aside to Capell.) Thou hast failed, 
then, after all? 

CAPELL: Nay, I have not failed. 

(Cromwell comes down, Corp. salutmg and 
moving to door C. Hepworth and Capell 
fall apart. Crom. stands between them.) 

CROM: Sirs, that letter is of serious con- 
sequence. I hope for the sake of all it mis- 
carr'es not. 

CH A PELL: You trust that Corporal? 

PROM: I have no fear of him; but I have 
other fears. 

HEP: Hath he not the letter? 

PROM: Aye! 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CAPELL: Then why have fears, Colonel? 

CROM: Because, good Captain, a storm 
is gathering around our heads, which if we 
meet it not with single hearts will sweep 
us all to ruin. Sirs, but a few hours since 
I discovered treason in our ranks. Now, 
treason, like disease, doth spread and grow 
if it be not beaten out at once. Our army 
aboundeth in true and godly men, but even 
among them poison may soon do its evil 
work, and the whole force be honeycombed 
with mean conspiracies. 

HEP: The treason must be stopped. 

CROM: It will be, sir— but only the Al- 
mighty knoweth whether it can be done in 
time. Wherefore I do implore you — what- 
ever you may think of me— be true unto the 
cause. We join the army on the morrow. 
The Eord grant we flinch not, but bear our- 
selves as becometh the religion we profess. 
Yet howsoever this may be— and He alone 
knoweth our hearts— the right will triumph, 
the wicked be utterly confounded and the 
will of God be done. 

CURTAIN. 

(One day passes.) 

[END OP ACT I.] 



THE IRONSIDES. 



ACT II. 



SCENE— Entrance Hall, Cromwell's house, 
Ely. Time— Afternoon. 

Capell discovered writing at table L. C. 

(Enter Madam Cromwell R.) 

MADAM C: Dost know, sir, where I may 
find the Colonel Cromwell? 

CAPELL: He is at quarters, Madam. 

MADAM C: When do you expect him? 

CAPELL: I cannot tell you. May I prof- 
fer you a seat? 

MADAM C: Nay, I will not sit. 

CAPELL: Shall I send a messenger unto 
the Colonel? 

MADAM C: I would not trouble you. 

CAPELL: I should deem it a privilege. 

MADAM C: Tut! Strain not at courte- 
sies, good sir. 

CAPELL: Nay, I am a simple soldier, 
Madam. I fear the Colonel thought my 
words of yesterday touching the Lieutenant 
to be over blunt. 

MADAM C: Thy worst enemv. Captain, 
would not call thee blunt. 

CAPELL: I was loth to speak. But duty 
compelled me to be frank. 

MADAM C: Thy sense of duty is a won- 
drous thing. 

CAPELL: I would follow it, and your 
son, Madam, to the death. 
MADAM C: Nay, not that. 

CAPELL: I do assure you. 

MADAM C: I believe it not, good Cap- 
tain. 

CAPELL: Then you deem me false? 

MADAM C: Prithee, sir, thrust not words 
into my mouth. 

CAPELL: I asked a question. 

MADAM C: I do not answer questions 
unless I know my questioner. 

CAPELL: You have known me manv 
months. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

MADAM C: It would take me years to 
know you, sir. 

(Enter Betty L. C.) 

CAPELL: My heart is on my lips— I say, 
I love your son. 

MADAM C: Let your acts prove it. 

CAPELL: You judge me hardly because 
my features are ill-cut, and my voice un- 
tuneful. Truly, Madam, a man doth not 
make his face! 

MADAM C: A face my be an index to the 
heart and character. 

BETTY: The worshipful Captain hath a 
heart— alas! 

CAPELL: A friend in need. Mistress, my 
humble thanks. 

BETTY: Thank Rachel, please. 

CAPELL: Mistress Rachel knows my 
heart. 

BETTY: She would not believe a word 
against you. 

MADAM C: Rachel knoweth naught of 
the world, or men. 

BETTY: I think she knows the Captain 
— now ! 

CAPELL: Someone, perchance, hath 
been maligning me. 

BETTY: I did. 

CAPELL: You were in jest. 

BETTY: Rachel took it not in jest. 

CAPELL: Why have I fallen under your 
displeasure? 

BETTY: Because I know your purpose in 
th-s house, good sir! 

CAPELL: I have no purpose to conceal. 

BETTY: You desire to marry Rachel. 

CAPELL: Indeed. I should hardly dare to 
ra se my eyes to her. 

BETTY: I have seen you do it often when 
you thought no one was nigh. 

CAPELL: You do me cruel wrong. I 
shall acquaint your father. 

BETTY: My father knows of it. 

CAPELL: I have no fears of the Colonel 
Cromwell. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

BETTY: So Rachel said. 

CAPELL: Ah— she trusts me. 

BETTY: It was not all she said. 

CAPELL: I pray you keep nothing back. 

BETTY: I do not think I will— though 
she spoke in private. "He may be godly"— 
I use her words— "but rather than marry 
such a man I would be put to death." That 
was all she said. 

OAPELT,: T admire your wit. 

BETTY: If you doubt my word go unto 
Rachel. 

MADAM C: Child, thou hast sa ; d enough. 
Come now, with me. Captain, prithee tell 
the Colonel I will seek him at a better op- 
portunity. 

CAPELL: I will in form him. Madam. 

(Betty and Madam C. move R. Enter 
Sweetlove on gallerv.) 

BETTY: Chide me not, Granny. I had a 
moaning in my words. He hath hurt our 
dear one. I know not how, but I know that 
I could kill him for it. 

(Exit.) 

CAPELL: (As''de.) I shall have to cut 
this maiden's claws. Well, Reuben? 

SWEEIT: The prisoner's escape is plan- 
ned. At dark, when all have .erone to pray- 
ers, my Lord is to steal forth disguised. He 
hath th<> password and will go alone so that 
the Lieutenant shall not be at any risk. 

CAPELL: Then we w'll catch that 
younker 'n a net and crush him— so! 

(En f er Cromwell L. C. Sweetlove stands 
at attention and salutes.) 

CROM: Greet you. Captain. 

r,\PELL: The Quartermaster is here for 
orders. s 5 r. 

CROM: Bear these: We march at dawn. 
Let every troop be in readiness an hour be- 
fore. If I And any men backward in exer- 
c'se, or slovenly in dress, they will be left 
heb^d. 

SWEET: Ave, Colonel. (Salutes.) 
(Exit C.) 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: (Going to table L. C.) Hand me 
the plan of Lincolnshire. 

(Capell takes it from chair and unrolls it 
on table.) 

We march to Boston, and there concen- 
trate. What saith the General? (Takes 
despatch from doublet and reads.) "The 
Marquis of Newcastle's army poureth down 
upon us. We have no cavalry and our foot 
deserteth nigh a score a day. Haste, or all 
is lost." Thus the General. (Laughs.) 

CAPELL: My Lord seems in desperate 
need of men. 

CROM: He hath nigh two thousand. 

CAPELL: They have deserted— 

CROM: Why have they deserted? 

CAPELL: I dare not make a guess. 

CROM: Thou art discreet. (Aside, walk- 
ing up and down the hall.) The capture of 
this Viscount and his despatches was a 
Providence. Rupert and Newcastle in the 
North, the King at Oxford— all to burst 
upon us when my Lord Willoughby, the 
noble commander of our army, gave the 
word. But my letter to St. John will un- 
mask the plot, and save the cause. (Comes 
down.) Find me the Pap'st stronghold, 
Sta'nsby House. 

CAPELL: (Placing finger on map.) There, 
sir, five miles from Boston. 

CROM: A short night march from here. 
Lord Willoughby desires that we reduce the 
place. 

CAPELL: It is strong and will make a 
s'ubborn stand. 

CROM: (Taking letter from doublet. The 
King hath a word to Rupert on the point. 
(Reads.) "Charlton to be Governor of 
Sta'nsby; hold it at all costs." Then if my 
Lord escaped from here, he would go 
th'ther. 

CAPELL: God grant he doth not escape. 

CPOM: Who guards him? 

OAPF'LL: Daneerfield. 

CROM: Ha! (Pauses— aside.) I do not 



THE IROXSIDES. 

(Aloud.) This Stainsby House. It is old and 
full of secret passages. There will be a 
postern somewhere, by which those who 
know the place find entrance if hard press- 
ed. Could we find this postern the siege 
would not last long. 

(Enter Sanctify Jordan, who starts when 
he sees Cromwell and draws back.) 

Thy business? 

SANC: Why, please you, sir— I desired 
but a private word with the worshipful Cap- 
tain. 

CROM: Have thy word. 

SANC: I thought he was alone. 

CROM: Speak, and before me. Dost wish 
to be arrested for a spy? 

SANC: Me a spy. God forgive you, mas- 
ter, for the lie. 

CROM: What sirrah! Such language unto 
me. (Aside.) I like this spirit. 

SANC: If a man call me spy, I call him 
l'ar. That be only fair. 

CROM: (Laughing.) We'll cry quits. Now 
hold thy peace and go upon an errand. Bear 
word unto the Viscount Charlton that I 
crave his presence here. Bring him thy- 
self. 

SANC: But he is dangerous. 

CROM: Dost fear an unarmed man? 

SANC: I fear nothing but that he may 
escape. 

("ROM: If he doth, I shall hang thee. 
Bes-one— I am in haste. 

SANC: (Moving upstairs— aside.) Woe's 
me. I fear that cavalier. But I fear Noll's 
anger worst. I must borrow a musket from 
the guard. 

(Exit C.) 

CROM: That Viscount is a fearless fel- 
low. hu+ of no discretion. 

^APELL: A debauched and evil living 
rake. 

'CPOM: Friend to our Lieutenant— is he 
not? 

CAPELL: They were boon companions. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: Ha! 

(Enter Charlton, followed by Sanctify on 
gallery.) 

CHakL: Gad, Colonel, you have a cruel 
wit. Dost put all thy guests in peril of their 
Lves? 

CuOM: You jest, my Lord. 

CHARL: Jest! Look at this servitor of 
thine. Upon my oath he hath tried to snoot 
me near a uozen times since I left my cham- 
ber. 

(Sancitfy, holding gun awkwardly, points 
muzzle at Charlton.) 

CROM: Down with thy musket, oaf. 

(Sanctify drops butt upon Ins toes.) 

SANC : Holy Jerusalem ! 

CROM: An oath in my presence. A shill- 
ing from thv pay. 

SANC: (Groaning. Holding his foot.) 'T:s 
a mosc malignant piece. I believe it be be- 
witched. 

CROM: My Lord, his proper weapon is a 
broom. 

SANC: Nay, indeed; I would be a sol- 
dier. 1 can wield a sword. 

CHARL: (Bursting into a laugh.) 'Slife, 
thou woudst make an army tremble. 

SANC: I'd have shot you, my Lord, had 
you tried to run away. 

CHARL: You mean yourself. That gun is 
l'ke to burst now. 

SANC: (Leaping into the air.) The Lord 
preserve me. 

CHARL: Colonel, hast many soldiers of 
h's mettle? 

CROM: Nay— Prince Rupert killed them 
all at Edge Hill fight. 

SANC: I shall go unto the battle singing 
like the Israelites of old. 

CROM: Thou'lt have no breath until a 
broadsword breaks thy crown, and then thy 
song wilt have another tune. 

CHARL: His proper place is on a bag- 
gage cart. 

SANC: But I would wear no armour then. 

CROM: Pish! thou'rt no use. 
C 



THE IRONSIDES. 

SANC: Make me a scout, good master. 

CHARL: Lord help the army that did fol- 
low thee. 

SANC: I am a Lincolner by birth— I know 
the country well. 

CROM: (Aside.) A Lincolner, ha! Where 
wast thou bred, boy? 

SANC: Within a furlong of the gates of 
one Stainsby House, near Boston. 

(Charlton starts.) 

CROM: (Aside.) My Lord changes counte- 
nance. I must pursue this matter. Sanctify, 
thou wouldst never make a scout. Thou 
hast not been outside a house at night since 
I have known you. 

SANC: 'Deed, master, I know every inch 
of country round my home. 

CROM: Wert thou a wastrel and a wan- 
derer in those days? 

SANC: Nay, 1 was most godly. But night 
air was commended for my health. 

CROM: Ah! My Lord, are there many 
deer in Stainsby Park? 

CHARL: There were once, but there have 
been too many hunters of late years. 

CROM: We have one here, methinks. 

SANC: I never hunted deer. It was the 
house I knew the best. I have been there 
an hundred times. 

PROM: When the nights were fine? 

SANC: Bv night and day. 

CHARL: He could not get in at night. 
The urates are always closed. 

SANC: Not all the gates, my Lord! 

CROM: Hold thy peace. My Lord, you 
forget you were the bearer of despatches— 
now in my hnnds. 

CHARL: His Majesty hath never been to 
Sta'nsby. 

CROM: He is much interested in the 
s + ror>frho1d and seems to know it well. 

CHARL: What sa'th the King? (Aside.) 
Goo^ Lord, we are undone. 

PROM: Thn+ wh'ch he thinks it well the 
Prince should know. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CHARL: Gad! Colonel, 'twould be easier 
to break a bar of iron than squeeze a word 
from you. 

CROM: I seek knowledge, not impart it. 
Give me your counsel. I am commanded to 
reduce this stronghold. 

CHARL: Nay, I will answer nothing. 
Leave the place alone. 

CROM: If you help me not, I raze it to 
the ground. 

CHARL: The chance of war is not al- 
ways on one side. 

CROM: There is no chance in war. 

CHARL: The house is safe enough. 

CROM: Brave words, belied by your trou- 
bled brow, my Lord. I ask you would it 
not be better to yield the stronghold with- 
out bloodshed? I would give the garrison 
generous terms, and set you free. 

CHARL: I am not now a member of the 
gjirrison. 

CROM: You know the secrets of the 
whole defence. 

CHARL: Dost insult me by the thought 
thnt I'd betray them? 

CROM: You have betrayed more than 
you know, my Lord. Your mind is an open 
book. 

CHARL: You have a poor opinion of my 
honour. 

CROM: Dost refuse to consider terms? 

CHARL: I will make no terms. 

CROM: Then I must take you unto my 
General Lord Wllougbby. 

CHARL: Mv b'tterest enemv. 

CROM: Who will put you to a shameful 
death. 

CHARL: My faith, 'tis hard to give that 
ros-ue so sweet a pleasure. But I have no 
choice. Rather thsm be a tra'tor to H's 
Majesty the K'ner. I would d'e ten thousand 
deaths. (Moves towards sta'rcase.) 

PROM: Stay My Lord. Misjudge me not. 
T knew that vou would not turn traitor. I 
only proposed to acqu're a little information 



THE IRONSIDES. 

from your Lordship. If any words of mine 
can influence Lord Willoughby, you will not 
regret this conversation. It hath been most 
satisfactory to me. 

CHARL: Faith, good host, you would 
read hearts through breast-plates. I like 
not your company the least. Now, brave 
scout-master, Sanctify, lead on. This time, 
pray hold your gun discreetly; I wish you 
not to come to any harm. So— bravo! 
March! Colonel, adieu. 

(Ex r t Charlton and Sanctify.) 

CROM: We shall need but small force to 
take that stronghold. 

CAPELL: A thousand men hath tried 
and failed. 

CROM: Pish! My Lord betrayed himself. 

CAPELL: I did not understand him. 

CROM: Listen then. The house is strong, 
but from Lord Charlton's agitation I judge 
it hath weak places that cannot be made 
good. I am satisfied that you will discover 
a secret entrance, mayhap more than one. 
Send Sanctify to find them and make full 
use of his knowledge of the place and peo- 
ple. That man hath more sense than ap- 
peareth on the surface and will do the work 
right well. He must depart at once. Follow 
with two picked troops at ten of the clock 
to-night so that you may arrive in dark- 
ness and make all your dispositions before 
dawn. T marked the place when passing 
it some months since. To the rear there is 
cover for a reg'ment— in front none. This 
postern will be in rear, and by dawn one 
troop— not more— must be in h'ding there. 
The other with a culverin should make a 
fe'nt of storming to draw the full attention 
of the garrison. But let them not see a 
pian. until the postern is properly beset. 
Then sound the onse f , and attack the front 
gates with determination the wh'le the other 
troon creeps in at rear. The cavaliers, see- 
ing so mnall a force w'll be off "he'r guard, 
and if your men do their work discreetly 



THE IRONSIDES. 

should be taken completely unawares. 

CAPELL: The scheme is shrewdly plan- 
ned. 

UROM: And the command yours. 

CAPELL: I shall require a trusty second. 

CROM: Choose him yourself. 

CaPELL: (Cons.ders. Aside.) I have it. 
Lieutenant Dangerfield. 

CROM: Ha! a strange choice. 

CAPELL: He is brave and very skilful 
in a s*ege. (Aside.) I shall have nim in a 
clutch. 

CROM: Have thy way. To quarters now 
and pick your men. But, first, send Danger- 
field to me. 

CAPELL: On the instant, Colonel. 
(Moves upstairs. Aside.) I like not those 
last words. How much doth he suspect? 
He can know nothing yet— when he does, it 
will be all too late. 

(Exit C.) 

CROM: (Walking up and down.) A plot 
is brewing. Twice have I seen Capell and 
Hepworth in earnest converse which ceased 
abruptly at my entrance. Yet the letter 
went, though it was delayed, and Capell de- 
layed it. Guessed he its contents? Nay, 
'twas writ and sealed before it left my 
hands. Stay! The Presbyter. I found him 
in my library. The letter open on the desk. 
I beth'nk me now, his face was flushed; 
the hand that rested on my chair a-tremble. 
Hepworth! Ha— a fanatic— therefore un- 
scrupulous. A Presbyterian, therefore sup- 
porting Willoughby; a minister, therefore 
unable to see beyond the limits of a creed. 
England, the Lord help thee if such bigots 
ever hold thee in their grip. May the Al- 
nrp-htv in H's justice deal with them as T 
will deal with these poor fools who th : nk 
to ru : n me now. 

fEnter Ralf on gallery.) 

Ye have received the news? 

t?at F 1 : (Coming down.) I am most grate- 
ful to you. 

10 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: You are the Captain's choice. 

RALF: I could almost think I had done 
the man injustice. 

CROM: Pish— ye do not know him yet the 
least. How is your prisoner? 

RALF: As merry as though lie were to 
greet his ladv on the morrow instead of 
death. 

CROM: Why death? 

RALF: He will be in the power of that 
devil— Willoughby. 

CROM: Hist— fool. If any heard ye, you 
would get short shrift from His Lordship. 

RALF: He killed mv father. 

CROM: I thought it was the Bishop- 
Laud. 

RALF: The Comm'ssion was divided, but 
Willoughby, who once had been my father's 
friend, cast the vote against him — so he 
died. I pray the day may come when my 
Lord shall get short shrift from me. 
" CROM: If you would see that day, silence. 
on thy life. Now. good lad (Patting Ralf 
on shoulder.) to duty. (Moves L. C. Aside.) 
If he hath not already planned his friend's 
escape, I know him not. (Laughs.) I may 
safely leave it in his hands. 
(Exit.) 

RALF: Duty— what is my duty? As a 
soldier of the Parliament I should hold 
Charlton fast for Willoughby to kill him. 
Charlton— who is dearer to me than a 
bro'her— Charltan— who, when we were at 
college, saved my life. Can I let him die? 
Nay. I will not. Mayhap it will ruin me, 
but I should not be fit to live did I desert 
h'm in tvs need. (Slowly ascending stairs.) 

''Enter Rachel R.) 

T>o l]C - n nr Ag'de.i Rachel' Fate is kinder 
than I knew. (Comes down.) Mistress 

T>\CHEL: (Starting.) Master Danger- 
field. 
FATF: Doth th's meeting- displease you? 
RACHEL: Nay, T am glad. I have wish- 

11 



THE IRONSIDES. 

ed to tell you how much my uncle's harsh 
words grieved me. They were unjust and 
cruel. But he hath been misled by your en- 
emies. I pray you w.ll forgive him. 

RALF: Most freely. But the enemy you 
name, your enemy as well as mine, I will 
not forgive. 

RACHEL: I have no enemies. 

RALF: Alas, you are in danger from one 
now. 

RAPHEL: In Colonel Cromwell's house? 

RALF: I would I might speak plainly. 

y *EI-- i oear thai yon Will speak. 

RALF: There is one within this house- 
Cap tarn Capeii — who loves you — nay, I will 
not call h's passion by such a sacred name. 

RACHEL: The Captain! He hath never 
spako a word of such a thing. 

RALF: He will first get you in his power. 

RACHEL: My uncle would protect me 
then. 

RALF: Your uncle is a weapon in his 
hands. 

RACHEL: But he cannot use the Colonel 
for h's ends. 

RALF: I believe he plots the Colonel's 
ruin. 

RACHEL: Why think you that? 

RALF: I judge from what I saw and 
heard vesterday at noon. 

RACHEL: Would that you heard all. 

RALF: Tell me now. 

RACHFL: Oh. that I could— or m'sht. 
(Putting her hand to her head and shudder- 
ing.) I know not how it is, but since that 
hour T have had no peace of m'nd. All lasc 
n-'°ht I had visions of d'sas^er in my 
dreams, yet they took no form or shape. 
Mv be-.l burns as rhoue-h I had a fever, 
yet my hands are cold. But I keep you— 
when vou would be doing. 

RALF: Nay. T am not on duty. I have 
been lo^s-'na: all the dav to meet vou. 

pArT-TEL: We do no f often meet. 

RALF: T trus<- T shall be more fortunate 
when I return— if I live. 
12 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RACHEL: You will not risk your life 
without a cause. 

RALF: I thought it of no value unto any- 
one. 

RACHEL: I will not have you speak so 
rudely of your life. 

RALF: Do you value it, dear mistress? 

RACHEL: I do indeed! (Pause.) So do 
all your friends. 

RALF: They may be counted on the fin- 
gers of one hand, in truth on one finger. 

RACHEL: For shame. Think of the Col- 
onel. Madam, Betty and many more. 

RALF: I may think of them, but it is 
seldom that they think of me. I am alone. 
T mind not that. I only ask that one friend 
should think of me. Dost guess her name? 
I need her sore, and before I go I must 
know for sure that she is my friend. (Takes 
her hand.) 

RACHEL: Truly, sir, you have my 
friendship, if it is of any worth. 

RALF: It is the highest honour that 
could be vouchsafed to me. 

RACHEL: I should say that of vour 
friendship. (Sighs.) A friend is more to 
me than T can well express. 

RALF: That you prize my friendsh'p 
maketh me happy beyond words. (Drawing 
nearer to her.) 

(Rachel slowly turns away, but leaves her 
hand in his. Sound of trumpet in d'stanre.) 

Alas, the trumpet call. I must go. Yet 
before I go (Takes both her hands and 
k-sses them.) Rachel, art thou indeed un- 
friend? 

RACHEL: While I live. 

R.ALF: (Kneeling. \ Then will I tell the 
all ^hat thou art to me. 

^A^t-tet : (Starting.) Oh, you must not! 

RALF: But T will. Rachel, before I saw 
thv face I was a man without a God. Mv 
ffi+her, whom I pass'onatelv loved, was 
done +o death before mv eves. T cared for 
naught and believed naught. Life was all 



THE IRONSIDES. 

darkness until I met thee here. Then 
straightway a light broke on me, and I 
prayed. I was as one who having lost his 
way hath lain him down to die, when on a 
sudden he sees the morning star arise and 
knoweth dawn is near. Thy purity and 
goodness have taught me that there is a 
God, and though I goto war agan, it is 
with faith in heaven and in Christ. I go 
loving thee, my dearest, ch my dearest, un- 
til the last drop of liie-talood leaves my 
heart, and my last breath hath passed 
away. (Rises slowly, and raises her hands 
to his lips. Rachel turns towards him and 
smiles. He clasped her in his arms.) My 
darling. Dost thou love me? 

RACHEL: I have loved you from the 
first. And all you have done since then 
hath made me love you more and more. I 
am not worthy. You have gone forth and 
dared the world. I have been in shleter all 
my life. But that life is yours— and with 
your strength to lean upon and your hand 
to guide, I shall grow braver and more fit 
to be a helpmate unto you. You must 
teach me, dearest, to be brave. 

(Sound of Hepworth's voice in passage.) 

HEP: Hast seen my niece, the Mistress 
Rachel? (Off.) 

RACHEL: Hark, there is my uncle. 
Leave me now. It is too soon for anyone to 
know. 

(Trumpet sounds louder.) 

RALF: (K'sses her.) Farewell, my dar- 
ling. 

PACHEL: May the Almighty keep thee 
safe. 

(Ralf moves C. They kiss hands as he 
reaches front door.) 

(Exit Ralf C.) 

(Enter Hepworth and Capell L.) 
HEP: Niece, we have sought thee every- 
where, be'ns? on most ur"-pnt bus ; r"^ss. Thou 
must leave this house with me to-day. 



14 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RACHEL: What reason have you for 
such a strange command? 

HEP: I have many reasons. 

RACHEL.: I will consult the Colonel. 

HEP: He must not know. 

RACHEL: I do not go without his knowl- 
edge. 

HEP: Thou must obey me. 

CAPELL: Your pardon— give me leave to 
speak. Madam, the Colonel hath become 
suspicious and will question you concerning 
the despatch. 

RACHEL: I will not betray you. 

HEP: None can withstand Cromwell 
when he is aroused. 

RACHEL: I cannot see sufficient cause 
for my departure. 

HEP: It must be, I say. 

RACHEL: Must is not a word to use to 
me. 

HEP: Eh? Thou hast become strangely 
disobedient since yesterday. What hath 
happened to thee? 

RACHEL: I will not, even at your bid- 
ding, leave my home and friends. 

CAPELL: Reverend sir, leave it to me. 
Madam, I hold a letter which you gave me. 
(Takes out letter.) I hold it. Should I 
choose it would be on its way to Lord Wil- 
Ioughby within an hour. 

RACHEL: You would break faith with 
me? 

CAPELL: That depends upon your action 
now. 

RACHEL: You swore to me Cromwell 
should be safe. You dare not break that 
o;i'h. 

CAPELL: Cromwell is in no danger- 
yet! 

HEP: Obey and all is well. You can trust 
my word. 

CAP'FT L: We await your answer. 

RACHEL: You have received it. I will 
nof tro w'th vou. (Moves R.) 

CAPELL: Then Cromwell dies. 

15 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RACHEL: Uncle, he is your friend. 

HEP: He was. But now— I trust him not. 
Let him die. 

RACHEL: I will straightway warn him 
of your plots. 

CAPELL: He is at quarters, full a mile 
away. I have a horseman waiting at the 
door. (Horse heard off.) 

CAPELL: You hold Cromwell's life and 
If I obey you, uncle, what do I gain? 

CAPELL: Cromwell's safety. 

RACHEL: That was what you said be- 
fore. 

CAPELL: Go with your uncle and the let- 
ter goeth, too. See — I place it in his hands. 
(Gives letter to Hep.) 

RACHEL: Where am I to go? 

HEP: Only to Milton on the Cambridge 
road. 

RACHEL: That is where the Captain's 
mother dwells. 

CAPELL: She would welcome you. 

RACHEL: You have some purpose in con- 
veying me there. 

HEP: On our arrival you shall know it 
all. 

RACHEL: (Aside.) I know it now. You 
hold me in a vice between you. 

CAPELL: You hold Cromwell's life and 
honour in a vice. 

RACHEL: (Aside.) H^s life. Ah, I must 
save h ; s life. (Aloud. ) But I will not go un- 
less you take oath, uncle, not to part with 
the despatch until it is delivered into Crom- 
well's hands. 

HEP: T w ; il +«ke the oath. 

(Enter Betty R.) 

RACHEL: Then I do your b'dd'ng. 

HEP: Speed, then, speed— put yourself in 
readiness. I will see the horses are in wait- 
ing-. (Moves T .) Deify not. Rachel. 
(Ex : t with Capell.) 

RACHEL: (Moves L.) (Aside.) The 
Capta'n's eves eleam wi^h Irs triumph. Let 
Irm beware. I will meet his mine with 

16 



THE IRONSIDES. 

counter mine. He dealeth no longer with a 
trembling girl, but with a woman fighting 
for her honour and her life. 

BETTY: (Aside.) What can have hap- 
pened? Dearest, you are in trouble? 

RACHEL: (Aside.) She must not know. 
Nay, all is well now. 

BETTY: You are going away. I hate 
your uncle. 

RACHEL: It is not for his sake that T 
go riwav. 

BETTY: (Stamping her foot.) Tell me 
your secret or I shall hate you. Am I a 
child? 

RACHEL: You shall know my secret. 
But no one else must know it— promise: 

BETTY: I promise— I promise. Now— 
qir'eklv! 

RACHEL: (Whispers. Betty laughs and 
claps her hands.) Master Dangerfield! Oh. 
what a fury the Captain will be 'n. As for 
your uncle, dear— oh, how I should love to 
ser> h : m when he henrs the news. 

RACHEL: He will not approve. I fear. 
But a woman's heart and life belong to her 
alone. Now I must hurry. I will see you 
acain before I go. But forget not— silence! 
(Puts finger to lips.) 

(Exit L.) 

rr^r.tpr Clavpole R.) 

BETTY: (Aside.) So they are betrothed! 
T am srlad. And that '"s stranee. because I 
lovpd M;«ster Danererfield— at least I thought 
T did. Yet he worships Rachel— and he 
never worstr'nopd me! (Sighs.) But I am 
sm-p T am in love. 

crinypole comps down. Rpttv lausrhs 
ar-ain. He s'dles up to her. She keeps her 
fqce turned from h'm. and moves iiway. Hp 
fo"o^s. tr'ps +o k''ss her— she looks round 
a.vA s^af+s back.) 

Ob— vou' 

CT.w- whom d'd vou 'Iv'nk it was? 
T " ?Tm V : A bptter m^n than vou. 
CLAY: Doth any other man love thee? 



THE IRONSIDES. 

BETTY: I could name six. 

CLAY: Their names, Madam. 

BETTY: (Laughing.) They would die of 
laughing an they saw you now. 

CLAY: I will not be laughed at by any 
man alive. 

BETTY: Better be laughed at by a man 
than by a woman. 

CLAY: Thou art my mistress. 

BETTY: Then leave me. I am tired of 
you. (Turns her back on him.) 

CLAY: Not until you say farewell. 

BETTY: Farewell, farewell. 

CLAY: I am going to the war. We shall 
never meet again. 

BETTY: Fie— thinkst I know not a sol- 
dier when I see one. You are none. 

CLAY: (Throwing back cloak and show- 
ing breast-plates beneath it.) I am a cornet 
in your father's tenth troop. 

BETTY: (Wiping her eyes.) Oh! you must 
not go away. (Turns slowly round.) 

CLAY: I have promised. 

BETTY: T do not wish to be alone. 

CLAY: (Puts h*s arm about her.) Thou 
never shall be, sweetheart, when I return. 
(K'sses her.) 

(Enter Rachel L. Stands at door a mo- 
ment, coushs. Betty springs from Clay- 
poip's firms.) 

BETTY: See what you have done. I can 
never look anyone in the face again. 

CLAY: A greeting. Mistress Rachel. It 
W o K _.i,o T r 1 _w was a joke. 

BETTY: You dare to say so. 

RACHEL: (Kiss'ns? her.) A m'sehief still, 
pvpti : " vonr joy. Master Claypole, you are 
most fortunate. 

B^TTY: I am the most unlucky woman 
in f he world. 

p^'^^L: For shame. 

R^TTY: Re mak^th love, h^ swearetli 
fea ,f v and then he says -t is a joke. 

pj AY: Thp f wr>s vo* the .1o)c<>. I meant— 
you know well I meant not that. 

18 



THE IRONSIDES. 

BETTY: I marry no man who knows not 
what he means. 

RACHEL: Peace, peace; I will leave you. 

BETTY: (Embracing her.) I am so hap- 
py. (Turning to Clay.) What if father for- 
bid it? 

CLAY: Oh! 

BETTY: You will never dare defy him. 

CLAY: I will. 

BETTY: Then go and do it. 

CLAY: I will go— upon his return. 

BETTY: You dare not, I say. 

CLAY: I dare defy a world to marry thee. 
I will go now. (Moves to door C.) 

RACHEL: Well spoken. 

BETTY: (Runs after him.) Nay! You 
shall not go alone. 

RACHEL: Guard her well, sir. 

BETTY: He guard me! Methinks with 
father he will be glad of my protection. 
Come, sir. (Takes his hand.) Come ana 
meet your fate. 

(Exit Betty and Claypole.) 

RACHEL: I am glad of this. He is a 
worthy fellow, and Betty, spite of all her 
mischief, hath loved him long. (Goes to 
table, looks round room, sighs.) When shall 
I see the dear old house again, my home for 
all these happy years. It is nard to go, but 
it is to save his life— the Tfe so precious 
to his friends, aye, and to England. There 
is no man like unto Cromwell. This place 
is full of memories of him. (Takes up sword 
lying on table. Kisses it.) The sword that 
be ha f h drawn for freedom and for right. 
(Takes up Bible and sinks upon her knees.) 
Th's he loveth best of all. It resteth in his 
hand more often than the sword. Even as 
T hold it in my arms I feel his strength of 
purpose and his power of will encompass 
me. 

(Enter Cromwell L. C. He stands watch- 
ing her.) 

T have done right, and I shall conquer. 
The Lord will protect me. 

19 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: (Lays his hand upon her head.) 
Daughter, hast anything to tell me? 

RACHEL: (Rises.) I have come to say 
good- Dye. 

CROM: (Sits at table.) Why do you leave 
us all so suddenly? 

RACHEL: It is best. 

CROM: Your reason. 

RACHEL: My uncle wisheth it. 

CROM: Tell me your reason. 

RACHEL: I cannot — now. 

(Cromwell turns away and takes up 
papers. Rachel throws herself at Ins feet.) 

Father! 

(Cromwell slowly drops paper and lays 
both hands upon her shoulders.) 

CROM: Well! 

RACHEL: Grant me your blessing before 
I go. 

CROM: Why dost thou go? 

RACHEL: Because I would undo a 
wrong. 

CROM: (Rises, rafses Rachel to her feet 
and holds her hands.) I command thee to 
tell me what it is that thou hast done. 

RACHEL: I must not— yet. 

CROM: A plot hath been laid against me. 
Armed with the knowledge thou canst give 
I w'll undo my enemies; without it they 
may take me unawares. Bare thy heart. 

RACHEL: I cannot— to-day. 

CROM: It will be too late to-morrow. 

RACHEL: Oh no! 

CROM: Child, thou hast been drawn into 
th's plot. I do not ask thee to speak against 
thy conscience, but if thou keepst a prom- 
ise exacted from thee by some trick, thou 
dost but play into their hands. Thou 
thrus'e'h thy head into a noose, which the 
worthy Captain will pull tight when it suits 
Irs plans. 

RACHEL: How know you, sir, that the 
Captain is concerned in it? 

CROM: Because I know the Captain. Tell 
me where I shall find the letter you gave 
unlo him. 

2a. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RACHEL,: I must not say. 

CROM: That's enough. It hath not gone 
to London. 

RACHEL: No! 

CROM: Is it against your conscience to 
tell me why you were concerned in such a 
crime? 

RACHEL: 'Twas to save your life, which 
was in danger. 

CROM: You mean you were told so. 
There is a difference there. 

RACHEL: Indeed 1 know that now. 

CROM: Yet you trust them still. But I 
forget. One is your uncle. 

RACHEL: Oh, sir, be merciful to him! 

CROM: Should ypu not ask him to be 
merciful to me. He holds a weapon in his 
hands. 

RACHEL: He dares not use it. He hath 
sworn an oath— that is why I go away. 
Dear sir, though I have been weak and fool- 
ish, I Implore you judge me not yet. I am 
not blindfold or helpless now. I know the 
man I deal with, and I fear him not. The 
time is not far distant when he will fear 
me. 

CROM: You think there is no danger 
now? 

RACHEL: Your letter will nevei be ex- 
posed to mv Lord Willoughbv. 

CROM: Ha! that was the plan. 

RACHEL: It is foiled. 

CROM: (Laughs.) Who saith so? Your 
uncle and the Captain. The fly, hav'ng- 
placed her feet within the web and break- 
ing- one mesh, casteth off her wings and 
followeth the sp'der home. Poor fly! Most 
cunning spider. But I am busy. Child, thou 
mayst go. (Turns from her and takes up 
despatch. > 

RACHEL: If you think me wrong, ad- 
vise me. 

CROM: Nay, thou hast taken thine own 
road and must ab'de bv it. Fare thee wel!. 

RACHEL: (Moving to door C.) Good-bye. 
dear sir. 

21 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: Good-bye. (Reads letter.) 

(Rachel watches him. He looks up. She 
comes towards him with outstretched 
hands. He goes past her to door and opens 
it.) 

Go now. May the Lord have thee in His 
keeping. 

(Exit Rachel C.) 

(Stands in thought at door. Hall has 
grown dark.) 

Poor child— poor child. Yet she hath cour- 
age and understanding. She may outwit 
them yet. Meantime she haih exposed the 
plot. My letter seized; Parliament to know 
naught and Willoughby all. Ha! Wdlough- 
by. A man without morality, without 
strength and without conviction. And yet 
our General. Aye, and Willoughby is not 
the only one among us who cowers before 
the King. There is my Lord Eseex. Too 
loyal to retreat; too timid to advance. Com- 
mander-in-Chief of all the forces of the Par- 
liament, and holding the liberties of Eng- 
land in his hand. He will never beat the 
King because he dares not, and yet until 
Charles Stuart is beaten, Charles Stuart 
will never come to terms. There is but one 
way to save our liberties. Our arnres must 
be led by men, not figureheads. Men whom 
no majesties dismay; who fear naught but 
S'*n; who are religious, but whose souls are 
not bound down unto a creed. That is the 
price Parliament must pay for its success. 
rp he Lord sive me pc'er to bear my part. 
But for the moment— Willoughby. The pern 
we are in is 'mmediate and great. If Ru- 
pert can reach Willouphbv before mv plans 
are r'pe. all will be lost. T must str ,- ke with 
all my strength— and I must strike now. 

'Enter Raif and Charlton on gallery 
above. Ch^Pon d'seu'sed fs a Puritan.) 

fjAj.F: There : s no one here. All ig safe. 

(Cromwell looks up— and s f ens back under- 
neath s^a'rs. Charlton and Ra'f descend.) 

CHARL: Ralf, give me thy hand. (They 

22 



THE IE0XS1DES. 

clasp hands.) Thou are the best and truest 
friend. Yet— Gad, but thou art a fool. 

RALF: I am in no danger. Cromwell de- 
sireih not your life. 

CHARL: Noll! Tush. I thought not of 
him. But only what a foul wrong thou 
dost thyself by being a rebel — come away 
wuh me. 

RALF: (Goes to door C.) Hist— chatter 
not. The horses should be waiting. (Looks 
out.) Not there yet. Is there a mishap? 
At any moment some one might come into 
the hall. 

CHARL: Let them come. I am as proper 
and prim a Puritan as any in the land. 

RALF: Talk not so loud. 

CHARL: I will now proceed with thy 
political conversion. 

RALF: You will make me angry. 

CHARL: It is an outrage, Ralf, that 
thou, a man of honour, shouldst fight in 
company with such coistrils as Capell and 
Willoughby. 

RALF: I serve not these. 

CHARL: Ye should serve Rupert and His 
Gracious Majesty. 

RALF: I serve Cromwell. 

CHARL: 'Slife! Compare not your crop- 
eared Colonel with His Majesty King 
Charles. 

RALF: I do not. 

CHARL: By my faith, if thou hadst- 
much as I love thee— I would have pinked 
thee through. 

RALF: Cromwell is a great soldier, a 
leader with ;i masfer mind. I compare not 
such as Cromwell to thy poor shadow of a 
K'ner. 

CHARL: Sdeath— mouth not such blas- 
phemv to me. (Se'zes sword.) 

RALF: You are mad— come outside. Your 
vo'ce will raise the house. (Goes up C. 
Charlton following.) 

rHAPL: 'Laugh'n.) I had, indeed, forgot 
my cloth. Gad. old friend, had our crop- 



THE IRONSIDES. 

eared Colonel heard me, I were lost indeed. 

CROM: (Stepping from staircase, leaning 
against it.) Your servant, Viscount. 

CHARL: Hell and damnation! 

CROM: Thy end, I fear, unless a change 
take place! So you are tired of my hos- 
pitality, my Lord. 

CHARL: (With a forced laugh.) Tired 
enough, mine host. But that is ill said when 
a man hath not paid his reckoning. 

CROM: I have no score against your 
Lordship. 

CHARL: Except my life and liberty. 

CROM: Your life and liberty are of no 
moment unto me. Where is your horse? 

(Sounds of hoofs off.) 

CHARL: Without. 

CROM: Then mount and away. 

CHARL: (Moves towards door— stops.) 
You play with me. 

CROM: I play with no man. When next 
you see Prince Rupert say that the crop- 
eared Colonel sent thee back to him un- 
scathed. 

CHARL: 'Slife, sir, I will not be beholden 
for my life to thee. 

CROM: I grant no favour. 

CHARL: You give me release. 

CROM: Because I have no further need 
of ve. Mv Lord. I have squeezed you dry. 

CHARL: (Forcing a laugh. Truly, then, 
It but rema'ns for me to ero. (Stalks jaunt- 
ily to door.) Farewell, srood Ralf. Forget 
not mv wise words. (Steps over threshold, 
returns.) Colonel Cromwell, we must not 
part thus. T have insulted you, and for 
revenge you set me free. Faith! T do re- 
tract my senseless words. You are what 
Ralf hf^h sa'd— a man of honour and a gen- 
tleman. T am your servant, and your 
debtor. Fare you wpU. 

(Exit C.) 

f'Orom. an-d Ralf look at one another. 
Hoofs hoard off.) 

CROtvt; tt p i s g-one. Go thou, too. 

RALF: Go? 

24 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: Aye, go! 

RALF: Whither? 

CROM: After him thou lovest better than 
thine honour and the cause. % Go! 

(Ralf comes down and they stand face to 
face.) 

RALF: I love you best. 

CROM: I have tried thee, weighed thee 
in the balance. Go! 

RALF: I owed my life to Charlton— I 
co"uld not let him die. 

CROM: Thou disobeyed me— for his sake. 

RALF: To save his life. 

CROM: Thy place is with him, and not 
with me. 

RALF: You are my master. 

CROM: Thy master. Nay! Thou art a 
cavalier— a very cavalier. Brave, but un- 
stable. Ready one day to defy the might of 
heaven, the next melting into tears over a 
friend. Such are the men who call Charles 
Stuart "His Majesty." Charles Stuart will 
never conquer England, or rule Englishmen. 
Though our nobility uphold him, and men 
of rank and fortune follow — such blades as 
Rupert and such time-servers as Hyde- 
England doth not follow, and will never fol- 
low. Ralf Dangerfield. thy place is with 
thy friend. Thou hast not the metal or the 
nr'nd to stand with us. 

RALF: Give me a trial now. Keep me at 
your side, though it be but to untie your 
shoes. 

CROM: Words, words. And yet, lad, thou 
hast some courage. 

RALF: (Falls on one knee.) Aye, and a 
loynltv to you which hath never wavered. 

CROM: Kneel not to me. T claim not 
k'nr-sh'p over any man. R'se, I say. 

(Ralf rises and stands with bowed head, 
wh'ch he raises gradually as Crom. speaks.) 

Never kneel to me, but to my Master. 
fPo'nts upward.) Thou wouldst follow me? 
Thou knowst not what thou sayst. Our 



THE IRONSIDES. 

friends in Parliament, who would acknowl- 
edge Charles if he would do this or that to 
please them, call me arch-rebel and accurst. 
T stand alone. Wouldst thou, too, stand far 
from all the rest? 

(Half raises his head.) 

Answer not. but listen. It is a hard thing 
to stand apart from other men. The long 
sad years that have turned my heart to 
steel have not touched thine, for tou art 
young. How wilt thou bear thyself? 

RALF: As becomes my father's son. He 
believed not in the creeds of other men, and 
they killed him for it. They may do the 
same to me for this. I will never yield. 

CROM: The words ring true. But, Ral~, 
if thou wouldst be a support to me. thou 
must cast away all selfish fears and selfish 
loves. Thou must call no man master - thou 
must fall upon thy knees and worship 
Chrst the Lord. Wit. indeed, follow in that 
pa+h and abide with me? 

RAI/F: I will follow it unto the end. So 
help me God. 

CROM: (Laying hand on Ralf's shoulder.) 
Then we will not nart. Yet. lad, thou hast 
much to learn. Thou will presently be put 
un*o a test. Thou goest to Stamsby with 
p'cked men. But there is one comrade thou 
must never trust. His dearest w ; sh is to 
see thee lying dead, and so he hath digged 
a pitfall in thy path. Wa^ch h'm; be wary, 
cautious and discreet when he ; s by. Thy 
courage no one can d'spute. But thou art 
a man of impulse and hot blood, wh : le he 's 
eoid a^d crnfty. Ask me no questions. 
Thou knowest whom I mean. Here he 
comes. 

f Enter Crmell in armour, with troopers 
bearing torches.) 

Thou. Oapta'n. Art ready? 

r^P^LL: T came for the L'eu + enant. 

CROM: He awa"ts ye. March briskly, 
avw 1 r^rnprnber ^h'ne instructions. 

n A PELL: Thev shall be punctually obey- 
ed. 

26 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: Then I say unto you both this 
one last word. Your enterprise holdeth 
greater issues than the taking of this house. 
Be upright and patient toward one another. 
Do your duty as soldiers and as Christians, 
and above all, forget not that in your hands 
rests the honour of the army and the safety 
of the cause. March! 



CURTAIN. 
(Three days pass.) 
[END OF ACT II.] 



THE IRONSIDES. 



ACT III. 



SCENE— Stainsby House. 
Parliamentary Troopers discovered. Some 
reading pocket Bibles. All on duty. 

GOODCHILD: It was an abounding 
mercy we took the stronghold in so swift a 
manner, else would the place have run with 
blood. 

MAKE: The quarter granted by Lieuten- 
ant Dangerfield was a sin against the Al- 

GOOD: What, Makepeace! Wouldst have 
wrung the prisoners' necks, then? 

MAKE: I'd wring the neck of evry Pap- 
ist in the land. 

GOOD: But they made no resistance. 
Faith, we gave them little opportunity. 
(Laughs.) _, n 

MAKE: It matters not. The Captains 
orders should have been obeyed. 

GOOD: The Captain, when he said no 
quarter, thought my Lord would fight. 

MAKE: I mean the orders given after the 
surrender. 

GOOD: The garrison surrendered unto 
the Lieutenant's terms. The Captain would 
have flouted them and killed Lord Charl- 
ton. 

MAKE: It was for the Captain to de 
cide. 

GOOD: 'Twas hard for Dangerfield to see 
his friends slain before his eyes. 

MAKE: He is a soldier; his duty was 
obedience. 

GOOD: The Captain hath a heart as hard 
as iron. „ , 

MAKE: He is a man of true religion. It 
is but Atheists and Malignants in disguise 
who show mercy unto Papists. 

GOOD: Our Lieutenant is neither Atheist 
nor Malignant. 

MAKE: He be both, and a mutineer, to 
boot. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

GOOD: Thou'rt a lying coistril, and were 
we not on duty, by the Lord, I'd drive the 
slander down thy throat with a pike's end. 

(The men approach one another threaten- 
ingly. The others gather round them.) 

TROOPER: What is the dispute? 

MAKE: I say the Lieutenant of ours be a 
traitor in disguise. 

GOOD: I say it be a lie. 

ALL: A lie— a lie. 

MAKE: Have your way; but wait until 
ye hear what punishment he doth receive 
from my Lord Willoughby. He hath com- 
mitted crimes. First, he granteth terms 
without authority, next he disputeth with 
violence when Capell commanded that the 
men be shot, and last he called upon such 
carles as ye, and threatened an attack upon 
the Lincolners when they came to support 
the Captain. 

GOOD: (Laughing.) That last is true 
enough. Mind ye, lads, the white faces of 
those worsted-stocking loons when we drew 
sword upon them? What a scowl they had 
for us when they found the house was ours 
without a blow. And all through little 
Sanctify finding- the secret postern. 

(Enter Sanctify.) 

Ha! here he comes. Hail great Sanctify, 
puissant Sartctifv. How doth your Lord- 
sh'n find yourself to-day? 

SANC: Well and hearty, comrade, but 
mv clothes be all too tight. 

GGOD: I see naught wrong with them. 

SANC: A suit that would fit me now 
must have a corporal's badge upon it. 

i A 11 laugh.) 

GOOD: Thou art too modest. I'd be no 
less than Quartermaster. 

SANC: There are many Quartermasters 
with less exnerience than I. 

GOOD: Hear him. He hath been in ac- 
tive service four and twenty hours. 

((All laugh.) 

SANC: I have known a man not unlike 



THE IRONSIDES. 

Makepeace in appearance serve four and 
twenty months an' not do what I have done. 

MAKE: 'Twas a subterfuge— a skulking 
escapade. 

SANC: Oh, a petty thing— unworthy of 
the attention of such great men as thee. 
Comrades, the grapes be wondrous sour. 

(Enter Sweetlove.) 

TROOP: News. What news of the Lieu- 
tenant? 

SWEET: Bad. They are trying him in 
court-martial for insubordination; for as- 
sault; for mutiny. A halberdier within the 
Court tells me all goes in favour of the Cap- 
tain. Dangerfield is like to suffer heavy 
punishment — perchance death. 

SANC: He will not die. He is a friend of 
Cromwell's. 

SWEET: Cromwell is in London. 

SANC: He was when we took this strong- 
hold. But that be two days since. 

SWEET: He hath no power here. 

SANC: Cromwell hath always power. 

SWEET: Capell is hand and glove with 
my Lord Willoughby. 

SANC: When thieves grow kind then 
honest men must mind. 

SWEET: Sirrah— a hint of such language 
in high quarters, and thou wouldst be rid- 
ing on the wooden horse. 

SANC: (With mock salute.) Shall I pay 
a fine? 

(Troopers laugh.) 

SWEET: (Forcing a laugh.) Thou art a 
cheerful fool. , , 

SANC: I am a very sad one, and so will 
his Lordship be when Cromwell comes. I 
speak in earnest. 

SWEET: Thy meaning? 

SANC: The rumour goeth, and becometh 
stronger hour by hour, that my Lord Wil- 
loughby dares not fight the Marquis^ 

SWEET: A foul lie. 

SANC: I trust it be, with all my heart, 
hut I have shrewd fears. 

I 



THE IRONSIDES. 

SWEET: If it is truth, then I swear that 
I would cut his throat were he ten times a 
Lord. 

(Chorus of Troopers.) 

Aye, and any other man who harbour such 
a thought. 

SANC: Quartermaster, thou hast my full 
respect. I will support thee unto death. 

ALL: To the death. To the death. 

(Enter Willoughby R. The men come to 
attention, but slowly and sullenly.) 

WILL: A greeting, men. (Aside.) The 
dogs salute as if I had court-martialed 
them. Quartermaster. 

SWEET: My Lord. 

WILL: Take thy company without. Let 
one guard this door, the rest report them- 
selves to the officer who is in charge of the 
removal of the ammunition. 
- SWEET: Aye, my Lord. (Salutes.) 
(Exit with man R.) 

SANC: (Aside.) Such labour suiteth not 
my dignity. I shall guard the door— and 
keep it open. 

(Enter Trooper L.) 

TROOP: My Lord, a lady in company 
with a reverend minister hath rid through 
the lines. The lady desires to see you on a 
matter of life and death. 

WILL: Admit her now. (Aside.) I trust 
that she be fair. (Laughs.) 

(Trooper exits.) 

(Aside.) Our plans go well. Capell de- 
serves much praise. He is my right hand 
and (Laughs.) Cromwell is away. 

(Knock at door L.) 

Enter. 

(Enter Rachel.) 

Ah, who is my visitor? My winsome vis- 
itor! 

RACHEL: I fear I do intrude, my Lord. 

WILL: The presence of fair women, 
ma'den, is never an intrusion. Wouldst 
thou see me, eh? What can I do for thee.? 



THE IRONSIDES. 

(Takes Rachel's hand and draws her to 
him. She steps back with a dignified ges- 
ture. He retreats a pace.) 

RACHEL: I have come to ask you to do 
justice, sir, unto one who hath been most 
cruelly dealt with. 

WILL: The unfortunate, whoe'er he be, 
could not have had a fairer advocate, or 
one, methinks, more likely to succeed. 
What— blushing! Ah, he is not a brother, 
eh? A little dearer than a brother, eh? 

RACHEL: He is my bethrothed, my Lord. 
1 have ridden many miles upon this quest. 

WILL: Fortunate, thrice fortunate be- 
trothed. His name? 

RACHEL: Lieutenant Dangerfield. 

WILL: (Pausing.) Oh— ah— he who is un- 
der trial for mutiny. 

RACHEL: Mutiny, my Lord? 

WILL: Rank mutiny! He defied and then 
disarmed his superior officer to save the 
lives of a malignant garrison. 

RACHEL: Were they in arms? 

WILL: They had surrendered, but the 
Captain commanded that they should be 
shot. 

RACHEL: Then Captain Capell would 
have murdered unarmed men. It is he, not 
the Lieutenant, who should be condemned. 

WILL: Dear maid, mutiny in action ad- 
mits of no excuse. 

RACHEL: But. my Lord, the Lieutenant 
did the right. 

WILL: Nay, these men were Papists, and 
the terms the Captain offered them before 
the assault was made had been scornfully 
refused. 

RACHEL: I bow to your authority, my 
Lord. But from what you tell me I would 
have you know that dearly as I love Lieu- 
tenant Dangerfield— had he done less than 
strike the Captain down— I would break my 
vow and never touch his hand again. And 
because of his humanity to helpless pris- 
oners your officers are trying him for his 



THE IRONSIDES. 

life. Save him, my Lord. (Clasping her 
hands.) As you are a nobleman and the 
Commander of this great army, stretch 
forth your hand and save this man. (Bursts 
into tears.) 

WILL: Alas, dearest maiden, I have not 
the power you think. Yet, I will see what 
may be done. Be comforted and rely upon 
me— there— there. (Lays his hand paternally 
upon her head.) 

(Enter Capell and Hepworth L.) 

Here comes the Captain, Dangerfield's ac- 
cuser. Address him in my presence on thy 
friend's behalf. He is a Christian and a 
godly soldier. Capell, this lady craves a 
boon. The pardon of thy Lieutenant. How 
goes the trial? 

CAPELL: The Court considereth Its ver- 
dict now, my Lord. 

WILL: He is a gallant youth, I under- 
stand. 

CAPELL: I say not a word against him. 

WILL: He is her betrothed. 

CAPELL: Betrothed! (Aside.) I crushed 
him not a day too soon. 

HEP: My Lord, you have been cozened 
by some lie. 

WILL: Nay, reverend sir. She herself 
said it, and on these points ladies seldom 
make mistakes. 

HEP: I am her guardian. I would kill 
her rather than such a union should be. 
Rachel! 

WILL: A very naughty maiden, on my 
oath. 

(Laughs.) 

RACHEL: It is quite true. 

HEP: Thou shalt never marry him. 

RACHEL: That is as I choose. 

HEP: I hold authoritv over thee by law. 

RACHEL: You hold it not by love. 

HEP: And I will maintain it. 

RACHEL: You may do your worst. I 
shall wed no other man. 

HEP: Lord Williughby. th's youth is of 
loose religion and abandoned character. 
C 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RACHEL: He is a noble-hearted gentle- 
man, my Lord. My uncle's mind is blinded 
by a prejudice which an evil tongue hath 
wrought. Believe him not. 

HEP: (Raising hand menacingly.) Be 
silent, wench, or I shall strike thee. 

WILL: Soft, Master Presbyter, that is 
going too far. 

Ra.CH.EL: My Lord, I leave the issue in 
your hands. You hold within them a man's 
life, a woman's heart. You will be gener- 
ous. Uncle, as you hope for mercy, have 
mercy now. 

(Exit L.) 

WILL: My faith, sire, she is a queenly 
damosel— yet a very woman. I am truly 
jealous of that youth— but most inclined to 
treat him leniently. See to this, Capell. 

CAPELL: Your Lordship is always so 
compassionate. 

WILL: A Christian act. methinks. 

HEP: A wrong unto the cause of true 
religion. Dost thou not know, my Lord, 
that this youth, a foul schismatic, is dear- 
est friend to Charlton, the idolator. 

CAPELL: There is one dearer to him 
even than the Viscount. Oliver Cromwell. 

WILL: What is this? Doth he love Crom- 
well? 

CAPELL: As son loves father. His af- 
fection is returned. 

WILL: I knew not that. 

CAPELL: Twice hath Dangerfield com- 
mitted grave offences; twice hath Cromwell 
pardoned him. Wherefore, perchance, it 
would not be well to pause, my Lord — un- 
less you desire to take example by the Col- 
onel Cromwell. 

WILL: The Lord forbid. Justice cometh 
before mercy. My heart may err, my judg- 
ment never. 

CAPELL: The Colonel Cromwell is a sol- 
dier of repute and skill; Dut ne hath a 
curious morality. 

WILL: The man is coarse and blunt. He 



THE IRONSIDES. 

hath no respect for rank and family. Alas, 
we have too many sucn these days. It be- 
comes a repioacn to be a gentleman. 

c A-fi^Lti^ : Jrteveiena Presoyter, perchance 
it would be Wise to show unto his -L-orusmp 
tne letter, writ by Cromwell, which teil 
into your bands by a Providential circum- 
stance. 

lltjf. I swore an oath it should not leave 
my hands. 

UAi^-U-U: Let his Lordship see it— in 
your banas. 

WIL.L,: if the letter concerneth me I in- 
sist on seeing it. 

HEP: CiaKmg out letter.) I made a 
promise, 1 would not break my word, but 1 
must ooey your Lordship. Kead, sir, out 
touch it not. 

WILL: (Reads.) What is this? He calls 
me coward— rake— traitor— saith I should be 
impeached in Parliament. A monstrous 
scandal. Where is he now? 

CAPELL: In London, I have heard. Per- 
chance in his place in Parliament. 

WILL: He dare not raise his voice 
against me there. (Laughs.) Yet this let- 
ter is to St. John— a member of the Parlia- 
ment. Ah! (Bites his nails.) But no mat- 
ter. When he returneth here — arrest— court- 
martial — death. I will crush him 'neath my 
heel. He at least shall die. 

(Enter Trooper L. Salutes.) 

TROOP: Please you, my Lord, the court- 
martial craves your presence to hear the 
sentence passed on Lieutenant Dangerfield. 

WILL: They must wait. Tell them to 
expect me in a short space. 

TROOP: Aye, my Lord. 
(Exit L.) 

WILL: Gentlemen, I have your support? 

HEP: God's blessing rest on you. 

CAPELL: You are protected on all sides, 
my Lord. 

WILL: How, sir? Protection! I com- 
mand the army. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CAPELL: I crave your Lordship's par- 
don. 1 merely meant to say that I have 
sounded the officers of your Council with 
due care, and if they do sit as a court-mar- 
tial upon Cromwell, methinks they would 
carry out the wishes of your Lordship. 

WILL: You have lett no stone unturned 
to bring- about the Colonel's ruin, eh! 

CAPELL: Alas! it is most painful to me 
—but my duty. 

WILL: Thou art a faithful servant to 
the cause, and shall be rewarded — if it lies 
within my power. 

(Moves L.) 

(Enter Trooper L.) 

TROOP: General, my Lord Charlton doth 
crave an interview. 

WILL: (Aside.) Rupert's friend. Friends, 
go ye to the Court and bring me word. I 
must see this prisoner. 

CAPELL: Assuredly, my Lord. (Aside to 
Hep.) We must not leave him with that 
man too long. 

(Exit with Hep. L.) 

WILL: Cromwell my enemy! Aye, he 
hath the antipathy that low-bred natures 
feel towards gentlemen. I have scorned his 
malice hitherto. There I was wrong. He is 
much too strong for scorning. Providence 
hath been merciful to send me this warning 
of his enmity. 

TROOP: My Lord, the Viscount Charlton. 

(Enter Charlton, followed by Pikemen.) 

WILL: Welcome, my Lord, welcome. 
You desire to speak to me? 

CHARL: I desire a Drivate interview. 

WILL: Guards, without there for a 
space. 

(Exit Guards.) 

CHARL: We are alone? 

WILL: Quite alone. 

(Sanctify peeps through door R, nods his 
head and withdraws it. leaving door slightly 
open.) 

CHARL: I speak, then, without reserve. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

I am your prisoner. You love me not, and 
would rejoice to see me dead — and yet will 
set me free to-day. In truth— Gad, Wil- 
loughby, I never mince my words— though 
I am in your hands now, to-morrow, if all's 
well, you'll be in mine. 

WILL: Your Lordship is pleased to jest. 
But let it pass. 

CHARL: Aye, let it pass for thy sake, 
not for mine. I crave a boon .from you, 
which I will give value for to-morrow. 1 
desire the pardon of Lieutenant Danger- 
field. 

WILL: (Aside.) Another champion! This 
youth hath as many friends as I have ene- 
mies. My Lord, you ask more than I dare 
grant. 

CHARL: Gad, speak truth for once, man, 
and say you will not. 

WILL: I declare I would if it were possi- 
ble. Indeed, if you are very urgent, I might 
so somewhat even yet. 

CHARL: Do it— do it. 'Sdeath! if any 
harm comes to him I am thine enemy for 
life. I will stick at naught, and thou know- 
est me. 

WILL: It is a marvel, Viscount Charlton, 
that you, a nobleman, can stoop to such 
vital interest in a commoner. 

CHARL: Pish, my Lord, sneak not in 
such a tone to me. Stoop, sayest thou? Let 
me tell thee something. This man and I 
were college friends. We were ever to- 
gether, sharing our work and play. Yet 
there was a difference. While I fell head- 
long in debauchery, he held himself up- 
right. When I was in debt to every trades- 
man round, he oft went short of food to pay 
a few score pounds he'd lost at dice. When 
there was not a pretty face in Cambridge 
that I did not bid for— he lived as pure as 
any child. Thou callest him commoner! Let 
me tell ye this, if such as you or I had 
lived as Dangerfield and Cromwell live, we 

10 



THE IRONSIDES. 

should not be where we are to-day, fighting 
as rats fight for our lives. 

WILL: (Aside.) Cromwell again. Enough, 
sir — I stir not a finger to save a friend of 
Cromwell's. 

CHARL: (Aside.) Phew! Lieth the wind 
in that quarter. My Lord, I ask your mercy 
for this man as my lriend, not Cromwell's. 
I love him very, very dear. He is the damn- 
edest rebel— but the best man in all Eng- 
land. 

(Enter Capell.) 

WILL: Stay. Captain. The verdict of the 
Court? 

CAPELL: Lieutenant Dangerfield. my 
Lord, is condemned to death. He is to die 
at the hands of his own men within an 
hour. 

WILL: A most just and proper verdict. 

CHARL: It is worthy of Beelzebub him- 
self, whose servants ye all are; and this 
Captain his familiar. Lord Willoughby, you 
have still an opportunity. Show now a 
spirit worthy of your rank. This sentence 
still requireth your confirmation as Com- 
mander-in-Chief. Grant my prayer. 

CAPELL: (In Will's ear.) Cromwell's 
friend, my Lord. 

WILL: Aye, aye. Charlton, this man dies. 
I will countersign the warrant now. 

(Goes to table, takes pen, handed to him 
by Capell. Signs.) 

CHARL: (Moving L.) Then 'tis over. But 
mark well. By this vile sentence on an hon- 
est man you do not only take a life unjust- 
ly, but strike a death-blow at the cause you 
swore to save. Your ministers know less of 
toleration than the worst of ours. Jealousy 
fills the hearts of your Commanders. All 
this spells ruin. If greater men and better 
counsels prevail not in your midst, your 
Parliament will miserably die. And as for 
ve— wait until I meet ye in the battle-field. 
(Exit L.) 

WILL: A most truculent young gentle- 

11 



THE IRONSIDES. 

man. Tush, let him go. (Aside.) Yet I 
could wish he were not so much a favourite 
with Rupert. 

CAPELL: He speaks too soon, my Lord. 

WILL: Nay, he must be released at the 
hour stated. I dare not breaK my word. 

CAPELL: He shall be, but he hath some 
lonely country to traverse ere he reaches 
friends, and sometimes travellers are killed, 
and sometimes 'tis as well. 

WILL: You would be a murderer. 

CAPELL: I would serve your Lordship! 
(Bows.) 

WILL: I will be no party to such atroc- 
ity. Charlton must go safely. Yet, ah! — if 
it could be that he reached not Rupert, it 
would be a providential circumstance. 
(Exit.) 

(Enter Sanctify R.) 

CAPELL: (Moving L. Aside.) The con- 
science of this man is a most precious thing. 
He would do no wrong; but if that wrong 
were done he would give thanks unto the 
Lord. 

(Exit L.) 

SANC: When thieves grow kind, then 
honest men must mind. The truest word I 
over snake, and I speak naught but truth. 
Poor Lieutenant Dangerfield. His proud 
spirit and his love of Papists hath been his 
ruin. He was in the right; the Captain 
wrong, but though he hath justice on his 
side the Captain hath the law. The Mis- 
tress Rachel's heart will break at this. Wo- 
men never understand the law. And after 
all is over Cromwell will come and break 
the Captain's back. Thank the Lord for 
that. But, alas! this will not bring the 
Lieutenant back to life. 

(Enter messenger spent with riding, 
splashed with blood; arm hanging useless; 
cut across his face.) 

MESS: Mv Lord Willougby! I want my 
Lo-d » 

(Groans and falls into chair.) 



THE IRONSIDES. 

SANC: Friend, 'tis the privilege of com- 
mon men to want, and of Lords to make 
them wait. Lord Williughby is busy; but 
thou art in a sorry plight. 

MESS: I am fainting— bring me water. 

(Sane fills cup of wine from table. Mess 
drinks it at a gulp.) 

MESS: Ha! I feel a man again. 

SANC: Now, what news? 

MESS. My news is for his Lordship's 
ear alone. 

SANC: Thou canst not see him. Tell me 
—1 am his most trusted servant. 

MESS: I know thee not. Nay, I will go 
myself. 

SANC: Man, it is impossible. There is a 
court-martial sitting. Give me thy confi- 
dence; 1 am of Colonel Cromwell's private 
household. Dost not trust him? 

MESS: Aye, we all trust Cromwell. 
Hearken, then. (Whispers.) But five miles 
away, creeping softly as a tiger on its prey, 
with the great Marquis and Rupert in com- 
mand, is the army of the King, five thou- 
sand strong. 

SANC: The Almighty! We're lost. 

MESS: You would have been if I had 
not escaped. But I rode for it through a 
fire as hot as hell. There is still time. They 
go not quickly, believing us to be quite un- 
prepared. My Lord hath victory within his 
power. 

SANC: Then go thou to him. Take more 
wine. 

(Gives it to him. Mess drinks.) 

Now go with all thy speed. 

(Exit Messenger L.) 
SANC: (Comes down.) Lord Willoughby 
hath victory within his power. But he hath 
neither power nor will. What said Crom- 
well in that letter? Coward— traitor. Crom- 
well knew. Cromwell! With Cromwell ab- 
sent, ruin! With Cromwell here— and Crom- 
well's regiment— I have it. I will away to 

13 



THE IRONSIDES. 

find him— and my Lord Willoughby's best 
horse shall carry me. 

(Exit R.) 

(Enter Ralf, guarded by Musketeers.) 

RALF: Halt, good fellows. Let me await 
his Lordship's answer here. 

(Sergeant of guards salutes.) 

SERG: Aye, Lieutenant. 

RALF: Sergeant, I wish to thank you 
and your men for kindest courtesy. God 
preserve you all. 

SERG: We would offer our lives, sir— 
every one of us— if the Court would take 
them 'stead of yours. 

MEN-: Aye. aye. 

RALF: I deserve not such loyalty. Yet 
ye know I would do the same for you. 

MEN: We know— we know, 

RALF: Thy hands, lads. 

(Shakes hands all round.) 

Now, am I ready for my fate. When you 
get the word to fire let there be no faltering 
from your love for me. Remember ye are 
soldiers. Remember I die because I did 
forget, for a brief space, that I was a sol- 
dier. Do not ye forget. 

(Enter Rachel L.) 

Ah, she comes. My Lord hath granted my 
last wish. Rachel, Rachel. (Comes down.) 

(Men retire up stage. Serg wiping his 
eyes.) 

RACHEL: (Breathless, taking Ralfs 
hands.) It is not true. Tell me it is not 
true. 

RALF: It is true, my darling. 

RACHEL: Then I die, too. They shall 
shoot us both. 

RALF: Nay, speak not so. Be calm, be 
brave — be yourself. Perchance I should not 
have asked to see you. But I could not die 
without one more glimpse of her who 
taught me how to live. 

RACHEL: They are murderers. 

RALF: Hush. They have done their duty 
and condemned me justly. 

14 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RACHEL: You did right. 

RALF: I did commit me crime which can- 
not be forgiven to a soldier. Mutiny. 

RACHEL: It was in a most righteous 
cause. 

RALF: Aye! 

RACHEL: Then are you unjustly pun- 
ished. 

RALF: Nay. In an army there are laws 
that no man may break and live. I set 
them all at naught. 

RACHEL: Ah, but why— why? It was 
to save helpless women and unarmed men 
from slaughter, and to keep the honour of 
our army stainless in the sight of men. All 
this you have done, and the very men who 
should thank you for it order your execu- 
tion. I say it is not just. 

RALF: It was their duty. I did right in 
the sight of God, and will account unto Him 
for all. But even as I did it, darling, I 
knew that it meant death. Will you forgive 
me, sweet? It means much suffering for 
you— for you do need me, the only person 
in the world who needs me. Yet you would 
not. I know you would not, wish me to do 
aught but that which I felt was right. 

RACHEL: (Resting her hands upon his 
shoulder.) I forgive you? I— forgive— yOu. 
Oh. Ralf, this moment, with all its agony, 
is one that lifteth me above all other women 
in the world. You love me— you who have 
done your duty in the face of death and 
worse. You deign to love me. I am so hon- 
oured, dearest, that through all the years 
to come I shall not mourn my loss so much 
as I shall endeavour to live worthily for 
your sake. I see all now. You are more than 
lover unto me: a hero — martyr — who to do 
the light brousrht on himself the worst dis- 
grace and obliquy a soldier knows. Fear 
not. I will be brave. I should not be worthy 
to look into your face if I did flinch. Good- 
bye, beloved. 

(Laying her hands on his shoulders and 
kiss'ng him on the forehead.) 
15 



THE IRONSIDES. 

May our dear Lard, Who died for all men, 
as you die for these, accept ye as his own, 
and let me follow you in His own good time 
—good-bye. 

RALF: My darling— oh, my darling! But 
I must go. Men, your duty. 

(Tears himself away, signs to men, who 
fall in about him. 
(Exit, waving his hand at door R. Rachel 

stands watching him as if turned to stone. 

When the door closes behind him she 

starts forward as if to follow, with a cry- 
Stops at the sound of Capell's voice off L.) 

CAPELL: By this man's death, my Lord, 
we lose a dangerous enemy. 

(Enter Willoughby and Capell. Rachel 
turns and draws herself up, and as they 
come down moves slowly to meet them.) 

WILL: The fair Rachel. We shall have 
a scene. 

RACHEL: Your Lordship knoweth not 
a woman. My heart is cold and pulseless. 
When those guns do their work it will be 
dead. 

WILL: Comfort thee, sweet maid. Thou 
wilt have many lovers. Thou hast one here. 
(Layine hand on heart.) 

RACHEL: Dare not to utter such a word 
to me. Thou lettest tlr's man die because 
thou art a coward. The time will come 
whpn all men will curse thee for thy cow- 
ardice. For you (Turning- to Capell.) I have 
another word. The punishment that is dealt 
unto the wicked hangs above your head. 
You have succeeded so far; but the end is 
near. You smile. You think you have me 
in vour power. Then may God help you. sir. 
(Moves L.) 

(Outside is heard Serg's voice. Rachel 
slowly falls on her knees and prays. Sound 
of galloping hoofs, growing gradually 
louder. > 

SERG: Prisoner, art thou ready? 

PALE: Quite ready. 

SERG: Men. make ready to fire. 

16 



THE IRONSIDES. 

(Click of musKets.) 

RALF: Keep cool, my lads. 

SERG: Present. 

(Rachel gives another cry. Will and Ca- 
pell look at one another.) 

CROM: (Heard off.) Halt! Down mus- 
kets on your lives. 

(A cheer from Troopers and cries of "God 
bless the Colonel.") 

Take your prisoner to the guard room. 

RACHEL: God hath heard my prayer. 

WILL: Our plans are all undone. 

CAPELL: Hisht! my Lord, or she will 
hear you. Courage. If by some chance 
Cromwell should know of the advance of 
the King's army, order not his arrest until 
you know that it is safe. Courage. The offi- 
cers will be upon your side. 

(Enter Cromwell.) 

WILL: Greeting, worthy Colonel. 

CROM: I trust I am in time. 

WILL: All hath gone well. 

CROM: Your Lordship's pardon. I have 
this moment stayed a murder. That was 
not well. 

WILL: Your Lieutenant was condemned 
by a court-martial for a mutiny which he 
confessed. 

CROM: I am his Colonel, yet only heard 
of this by chance. It was foul play, my 
Lord. 

WILL: Such words to me! 

CROM: This is no time to measure words. 
But a truce. I have heard grave tidings. 

WILL: (As'de.) Lord! how hath he heard? 

CROM: Doubtless your Lordship knoweth 
of them, and art suitably prepared. 

WILL: Alas! the Marquis is upon us in 
overwhelming strength. 

CROM: He hath halted on the way. We 
have ample time to spring upon him. 

WILL: Impossible, good Colonel. 

CROM: It is of necessity, my Lord, and 
therefore to be done. 

17 



THE IRONSIDES. 

WILL: Do you or I command this army, 
Colonel Cromwell. 

CROM: The chief responsibility is yours, 
my Lord, no more! 

WILL: I have ordered a retreat. 

(Enter officers.) 

Here comes my officer. 

OFFICER: My Lord, the Colonel Crom- 
well's troop have heard the news, and say 
they'll mutiny before they do retreat. 

CROM: Hearken, my Lord, hearken. 
There is a deep significance in that. 

WILL: There is insubordination — treason! 

CROM: The treason rests not with the 
rank and file. 

CAPELL: My Lord, would it please you 
to call a council of the officers? They might 
satisfy the Colonel. 

WILL: A most wise and proper course. 
They will be in the chamber where they 
tried Lieutenant Dangerfield. Bring them 
unto us. 

CAPELL: With all speed, my Lord. 
Exit L.) 

RACHEL: (Moving ..own R. to Crom.) 
Thank the Lord for your presence, sir. 

CROM: My child, you here? What does 
this mean? 

RACHEL: I came hither with my uncle. 
You will not let him die? 

CROM: Who— thine uncle? 

RACHEL: I mean Ralf— my Ralf, 

CROM: Your Ralf— ha! Well, rest satis- 
fied there shall be full trial. 

WILL: That hath been given. 

CROM: My Lord, the Court hath been 
misled. Methinks they should have tried an- 
other man. 

(Enter Capell and officers.) 

Depart now, Rachel. Justice shall be done. 

RACHEL: I have full faith in God's 
mercv and vour strength. 
(Exit.) 

(Cromwell and officers salute one another 
in silence. Officers take seats at table. Will 

IS 



THE TRONSIDES. 

at the head, Crom at the foot, Capell at 
Will's right.) 

WILL: I have called this council on the 
gravest issue. The enemy advanceth some 
five thousand strong. We must now decide 
the course we shall pursue. In my judg- 
ment a retreat is the inevitable. Colonel 
Cromwell thinketh otherwise. Give us your 
minds. 

COL. S: We shall be cut in pieces if we 
attempt dispute. 

COL. P: Verily a battle would be a sinful 
waste of life. 

CROM: There be at least one thousand 
men who would gladly give their lives. 

WILL: We have not sunk so low that we 
must look for an example from our men. 

CROM: Methinks there will be small op- 
portunity for them to look for one from us. 

BROCK: This Royal army will be all 
veterans. 

CROM: I know some poor men, sir, who 
dared to beat those veterans once, and will 
again. 

CAPELL: Few can attempt what the 
Colonel Cromwell saith his men have dared. 

CROM: Thou. Capell, I mind me, wast 
not one who dared. 

STRICK: We should retreat to Cam- 
bridge, and there fortify. 

CROM: Tt would be madness, sir. 

FAIR: Nay, the finger of the Lord doth 
point that way. 

CROM: Our place is in the field, not shel- 
tered behind walls. We must arrest the 
march of this armv upon London. 

STRICK: An' we be annihilated by the 
Marquis, the last barrier 'tween London and 
the enemy were swept away. The madness 
is vours. Cromwell. 

FAIR: Hath the godly Colonel any coun- 
ter-nlan? 

CROM: Nay, sirs; if you have no will to 
fieht. what boots it I should tell you how 
to n-ht? 

STRTCK: We lack not will, but means. 

CROM: Ye have two thousand and five 
19 



THE IRONSIDES. 

hundred men, You know the country. New- 
castle doth not. A swift march before he 
hath time to put his army in battalia; a 
brisk charge of cavalry; a flank attack 
heartily delivered, and the day is yours. 

FAIR: What saith my Lord to this? 

WILL: The Colonel's words are brave 
enough; but they are only words. 

CROM: I will translate them into action 
if you give command. Lead us, and we fol- 
low. 

WILL: I do say they are too strong for 
us. We must retreat. 

CROM: Retreat whither? We have no 
reserves to help us in the counties. They 
will but provide plunder for our enemies. 
Were I in league, my Lord, with Charles 
or with his Generals, I could not devise a 
better scheme than this retreat— for them. 

PAIR: There be some sense in what the 
Colonel says. 

STRICK: I would rather fortify a town. 

CROM: And see the country round you 
all laid waste. Nay, such a coward's act 
would ill suit you, good Strickland. 

WILL: "We are not cowards, sir. Pray 
mend your words. 

CROM: The words that be on my tongue, 
my Lord, are of such heat I dare hardly 
speak at all. Yet will I speak. Comrades, 
your strength is leaving you; your hearts 
have turned to water, and your faith hath 
gone. Your knees tremble before this army, 
and your faces blanch because ye turn your 
backs upon the Lord. Arouse ye from this 
stupor of despair. Our cause is the Al- 
mighty's—cannot He protect His own? Ye 
have one thinsr to dread and only one — 

(Turning slowly upon Capell and Will.) 
The men whose tongues are cloven, and 
whose hearts are false. Be but true unto 
yourselves, as once ye were, and all may 
yet ero well. 

STRICK: DM we feel the cause demanded 
it, we would fight and die. if need be, as 
readily as ye. 

20 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: Then prove it, sir. 

WILL: Not for your taunts. You cast 
foul insult in our faces, and expect that we 
shall do your will. 

CROM: I have insulted none, my Lord, 
but traitors. 

CAPELL: A word— I crave a word. 

WILL: Soeak freely, Captain. 

CAPELL: The words of Colonel Cromwell 
touch us all. 

ALL: Aye. 

CAPELL: And I for one should think 
that he were right — if I could trust him. 

OFFICERS: Not trust the Colonel Crom- 
well? 

CAPELL: Nay, and you would not, gen- 
tlemen, if you knew what hath lately come 
unto my knowledge. 

WILL: Eravely and most truly said. 

CROM: Proof, Capell, and that instantly. 
What dost thou know? 

FAIR: Aye, and I should expect some 
other witness to confirm this statement be- 
fore I did lose my trust in the godly Col- 
onel Cromwell. 

CAPELL: There be a witness I could 
procure, sirs. A witness most favourably 
disposed unto the Colonel. 

STRICK: Name him. We will judge his 
worth. 

CAPELL: Mistress Rachel Fullerton, 
niece to Presbyter Hepworth. 

BROCK: A woman? We want no women 
here. 

CAPELL: A lady of repute. The ColoneJ 
will not deny my words. 

CROM: I have no objection to the maiden 
as a witness. 

WILL: I can swear she favours not the 
Captain. Call her in. 

CROM: Without there! 

(Enter Sanctify.) 

Ask Mistress Rachel to attend the Coun- 
cil. 

SANC: Aye. Colonel. (Aside.) My Lord 

21 



THE IRONSIDES. 

and his faithful Captain would cover up 
their evil deeds with rose leaves. They for- 
get a rose hath thorns. 

(Exit.) 

CROM: Capell, thou play est with fire. 
Think well before you strike— think well! 

CAPELL: I can but do my duty, sir. 

(Enter Rachel R.) 

WILL: (Rising-.) Madam, we crave your 
presence. Words hath passed between two 
gentlemen. You are to hold the scales like 
a fair justice. I beg you answer a few ques- 
tions without fear or prejudice. 

RACHEL: I will do my best, my Lord. 

WILL: We thank you. Captain, proceed. 

CAPELL: Remember you holding con- 
verse with me once touching a letter written 
by the Colonel Cromwell? 

RACHEL: I remember. 

CAPELL: Afterwards you read the letter. 

RACHEL: It was shown to me. 

CAPELL: What did it contain? 

RACHEL: (Turning to Cromwell.) Must 
I answer him? 

CROM: Speak the truth, child, and fear 
not anything. 

RACHEL: It accused my Lord Willough- 
by of cowardice. 

OFFICERS: He called the General a cow- 
ard? 

CROM: It is true— go on. 

RACHEL: It saith he lived an evil life. 

CROM: Quite true. 

RACHEL: And concluded with the state- 
ment that My Lord was a traitor to the 
cause. 

OFFICERS: My Lord a traitor— shame ! 

CROM: True both in meaning and in fact. 

WILL: You hear, gentlemen. He doth 
admit the writing of these lies-. 

CROM: They are not lies. 

WILL: Fairest maiden, thou hast done 
me a service I will remember all my life. 
You may now withdraw. 

22 



THE IRONSIDES. 

RACHEL: Your pardon, my Lord, I have 
something I would tell these gentlemen. 

WILL: Nay, we have no time. 

CROM: Speak, Rachel, to the point, and 
leave us. And then, my Lord (Rising.) the 
Council shall hear me. 

RACHEL: I wish, sirs, to tell you of this 
man. (Pointing to Capell.) He filched from 
my care, by meanest subterfuge, the letter 
you have heard. He drew me from the pro- 
tection of Colonel Cromwell's roof by an- 
other trick, and, to screen himself he calls 
me as witness against the man I do most 
honour and revere. Sirs, he is a Judas in 
your ranks, and as he hath dealt with me, 
so will he deal by you. 

(Exit R.) 

SANC: (Aside, opening door for her.) 
The rose was sweet, but the thorn pricked 
deep. 

CAPELL: Gentlemen, grant me a word. 
This maiden beareth me a bitter grudge. 
The man you condemned— and whom the 
Colonel hath reprieved without your knowl- 
edge—is her betrothed. 

OFFICERS: Reprieved! The prisoner re- 
prieved! 

WILL: Aye. and behind your backs. Now 
return ye unto the problem of retreat or no 
retreat. Cboose between my word and this 
enemy of mine. 

CROM: Aye, sirs. That is the strictness 
of the question. My Lord, as ye have sown, 
so shall ye reap. Ye place your word 
iie-airist mine own? So be it. Then, Lord 
Willoughy of Parham. Sergeant Major Gen- 
eral of this army, I do accuse thee of deal- 
ings with Prince Rupert, the Marquis of 
Newcastle and Charles Stuart himself. Thou 
art a traitor and a renegade. 

(Officers leap to their feet and support 
Wrlloughbv and exclaim: "A lie — proof- 
shame! 

WILL: (Laying his hand on his heart.) 
Gentlemen, upon my honour as a peer of 

23 



THE IRONSIDES. 

England; upon my faith as Christian, I 
swear that is all a tissue of black and 
shameless falsehood. 

CROM: (Taking despatch from doublet.) 
The Almighty be thy judge and mine. Seest 
this letter, sirs? It was found upon the 
Royalist Viscount Charlton, and is a letter 
of instruction irom the King to Rupert. I 
will read the words with which it doth con- 
clude: "Take no action until you hear from 
Willoughby. You may trust mm now. He 
hath learnt at last on whose side his inter- 
est lies. Charles, Rex." 

(All turn upon Willoughby, who grinds 
his teeth.) 

WILL: A forgery— conspiracy— he writ it 
all himself. 

CROM: Whose seal is that, Lord Wil- 
loughby? 

A-L.L,: The King's— the King s. 

CROM: The Council will now say whos<- 
word it doth believe. 

(All turn from Willoughby and mutter: 
"Dastard— traitor." Willoughby tries to 
speak and to meet Cromwell's eye, but 
shrinks before him.) 

STRICK: (Laying hand on sword.) Such 
a foul thing as thee be not fit to live. 

CROM: (Stepping between them.) Hold, 
sir. Judgment is for God. Punishment for 
Parliament. We have other work. Hark! 
Hark! 

(Pamt tramp of feet and trumpet calls 
heard in the distance.) 

FAIR: Heaven be merciful to us. It is 
the enemy. 

STRICK: And now. thanks unto my Lord, 
it be all too late to fight! 

CROM: (Striking table with his fist.) 
Who dares to say too late? 

STRICK: Our army is at Boston, five 
miles away. 

CROM: Would you dispute Newcastle if 
you had the army here? 

ALL: Aye, aye. 

24 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: (Steps to window — draws curtain.) 
Then, behold it, sirs. 

(Troops drawn up in rank off. When they 
see Cromwell they cheer.) 

WILL: Aye, cheer him, like unto like! 
He suits such low-born churls as ye — make 
him your General. 

STRICK: My Lord speaks well. Long 
live the man who hath saved the cause. 
Long live General Cromwell. 

ALL: (Drawing- swords and raising them 
above their heads.) Our leader— our leader. 
Long live the General. 

^Cheering of men off. Cromwell salutes in 
silence.) 



[END OF ACT III.] 



2a 



THE IRONSIDES. 



ACT IV. 



SCENE— Entrance Hall, Cromwell's House. 

Group of Parliamentary Officers Discovered. 

They have just ridden in. Servant 

moves about handing wine. 

STRICK: Hath the General Cromwell 
been informed of our arrival. 

SERV: A trooper hath rid to find him. 
sir. 

STRICK: The General riseth early. 

SERV: It is seldom that he sleepeth after 
four. 

FAIR: A willing spirit and an iron frame. 
He is a leader beyond price. 

STRICK: Naught but the stiffness of his 
regiment saved the day at Stainsby Moor. 

BROCK: Well may Rupert call him Iron- 
sides. 

FAIR: Aye, and he upholdeth justice and 
strict discipline. 

STRICK: Hardly that, good Colonel, else 
had Dangerfield been executed. 

FAIR: The youth will die to-day. 

STRICK: But Cromwell reprieved him. 

FAIR: Cromwell knew that Dangerfield's 
accuser was unfaithful to the cause. 

BROCK: The godly Captain? 

FAIR: Call him not godly. He was in 
league with Willoughby, and will be tried 
bv Parliament for treason. 

STRICK: Cromwell loveth Dangerfield 
too well to let him be condemned. 

FAIR: You do him injustice. Besides, 
fresh evidence hath come to light proving 
beyond doubt that the Lieutenant is a 
traitor. 

STRICK: The evidence. Let us hear the 
evidence. 

FAIR: Ye will hear all at the trial. The 
youth hath no chance of life. None may 
move Cromwell when he is resolved. 

(Enter servant R.) 

SERV: Gentlemen, breakfast is served. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

(Officers move R. Rachel and Betty ap- 
pear on gallery). 

SSTRlCiv: Vve are all agreed, sirs? Dan- 
gerneld must die. 

ALL.: Aye, aye. 

<,ii.xit officers.) 

(Rachel and Betiy come down.) 

KACJrtJilL: Harken to tnat. These sol- 
diers are thirsting for Ralf's blood. This 
war doth turn men into brutes. 

BETTY: Say birds, my dear. The godly 
Coioneis are tor all the world like owls— as 
ugly and as stupid. 

KACHLL: So much the worse for Ralf. 

BWi'il: They have yet to reckon with 
my father. 

KACHEL: I saw him yesternight, and be- 
sought him on my knees for word of hope. 
He would give me none. 

BETTY: Did he bid you despair. 

RACHEL: He closed his lips and shook 
his head — you know the gesture — and said 
that justice must be done. 

BETTY: Then, dearest, dearest, be of 
good cheer. He can compass anything he 
will. 

RACHEL: You understand me not. I 
know that if he wills it all may yet be well. 
But what if he does not wish that Rait 
should live. You do not know, dear — pray 
you never may— what this word mutiny 
doth mean to soldiers. Ralf tells me there 
is no hope — no hope. 

BETTY: Pooh! Throw not Ralf's words 
at me. He knoweth naught. 

RACHEL: I have lost all hope. 

(Enter Hepworth C.) 

But see, my uncle cometh. Go, dear heart. 

BETTY: If you had not lost your wits 
for love of Ralf you would see in your un- 
cle's frown a forecast of good fortune. But 
you are blind — blind. (Moves L. C. Aside.). 
1 do my best to cheer her, but in truth I 
have lost heart myself. I have never seen 
father treat a man so sternly as he treats 
Rait Dangerrield. 

2 



THE IRONSIDES. 

HEP: Niece, I desire serious converse 
with you. 

BETTY: She will now be told of all her 
sins. 

HEP: I came not to speak of sin. 

BETTY: Then your face, sir, doth you 
grievous wrong. 

HEP: You are grossly impertinent. Be 
gone ! 

BETTY: (With mock courtesy.) I hum- 
bly crave your pardon; but I spoke the 
truth, and if I had a mirror for you to 
look upon I'd prove it. 

(Exit L. C.) 

HEP: Niece, since we last met I have 
been to London and consulted the greatest 
of our lawyers. I find that thou canst not 
marry any man unless I give consent; and 
that it rests with me to decide where thou 
shalt live. Furthermore, that if thou dost 
defy me I can have thee seized on a war- 
rant and thrown into a prison. 

RACHEL: Before my father died you told 
him you would be a father unto me. Had he 
known how you would keep your word he 
would not have given you this power. 

HEP: Thine own conduct hath forced me 
to the issue. Either thou leavest this house 
and res'de with me, or I have thee ar- 
rested. 

RACHEL: I shall not live with you. 

HEP: Then take thy punishment. I 
feared thou wouldst be obstinate, where- 
fore I came prepared. Here is the war- 
rant. (Showing parchment.) But submit 
and drive me not unto extremities. 

RACHEL: T shall appeal unto General 
Cromwell, as T had to do before. 

HEP: 'Tis useless, for I have the protec- 
tion of the law. See here. 

(Goes to door, throws it open and beckons. 
En.er two Sheriff's officers, C.) 

HEP: Niece, once more I bid thee yield. 

RACHEL: I will not. 

(Enter Sanctify Jordan and two troopers 
R. ) 

HEP: Officers— your duty. 

OFFICER: Madam, I must arrest you in 
3 



THE IRONSIDES. 

the name of King and Parliament. 

RACHEL: If you touch me, sir, I shall 
call for aid. 

SANC: And not in vain. Men, stand to 
your arms. 

HEP: Soldiers, beware! Thou hast to do 
with men armed with powers of law. 

SANC: 'Struth, we have faced worse on 
the battlefield. Be ready, men. 

OFFICER: I am acting on a warrant. 

SANC: (Taking warrant and running his 
sword through it.) So much for thy war- 
rant. Pigskin is no protection against steel, 
good sir! (Hands it back with mock bow.^i 

HEP: Officers, convey this lady to the 
coach. 

(Officers advance on Rachel.') 

SANC: Men, convey these gentlemen 
without the door. 

(Troopers seize officers and run them out- 
side.) 

HEP: Thou hast committed a serious of- 
fence, Corporal. 

SANC: Touch her, and you will follow, 
sir. 

HEP: I will report thee to the General. 

(Enter Cromwell C.) 

SANC: Methinks the reporting shall be 
done by me. 

CROM: There hath been unseemly con- 
duct here, Sanctify. 

SANC: There hath indeed, General. But 
for my presence an assault would have been 
made by those men upon the Mistress 
Rachel. 

HEP: They are Sheriff's officers, acting 
by mv instructions. 

CROM: Thou hast taken most unneces- 
sary trouble, sir. Corporal, dismiss your 
men and close the door. Remain yourself 
w'th : n. Rachel, what is the dispute? 

RACHEL: My uncle desires me to reside 
with him in London. I will go to prison be- 
fore I clo consent. 

CPOM: Thv reason. 

RACHEL: It concerneth Captain Capell. 

CPOM: Capell! 

HEP: I have naught to do with him: 
4 



THE IRONSIDES. 

mention not his name. 

RACHEL: You commanded me to wed 
the Captain. 

CROM: Presbyter, didst contemplate that 
outrage? Explain thyself! 

HEP: I have naught to explain. All that 
is past. Niece, our controversy shall end. 
Live where and with whom you please. 

(Moves toward door C.) 

CROM: Corporal, guard the door. 

HEP: I wish to pass out. Stand aside. 

CROM: Return. 

HEP: I desire to dismiss the officers. 

CROM: Return or I arrest you on a seri- 
ous charge. 

HEP: (Coming down.) I am a minister of 
Gospel. 

CROM: Wherefore the crime thou hast 
committed is without palliation or excuse. 

HEP: You don't know of what you 
speak. 

CROM: I know too well. Rachel, tell me 
all. 

RACHEL: After I had given your letter 
to the Captain my uncle came with him 
and commanded that I leave your house, 
and saying that if I disobeyed your letter 
should be taken unto Lord Willoughby. 

CROM: Reverent sir, methinks thou feel- 
est faint. How pale thou art. Thy very lips 
are white. Presbvter, the truth! 

HEP: I have fallen. I can fall no further. 
Cromwell, thou shalt have the truth. 
Know, then, that I promised Rachel should 
marry Captam Capell if he brought about 
your ruin. God knows I was not willing. 
But I thought the cause of true religion 
made your downfall most imperative, and 
he would take no other price. Now thou 
knowest all. Do what you will. I deserve 
no mercy and I ask for none. 

CROM: The bolt ye forged between you 
was heavy and well aimed. But God made 
it harmless. Enough of this. Thou hast 
confessed. But thou must make a heavy 
sa orifice. 

HEP: T will make any sacrifice. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CROM: Then you will consent unto such 
terms as I may lay upon you. 

HEP: Name them. 

CROM: At my own time. 

HEP: I desire to go aWay. 

CROM: We need you here. Retire into 
my library with your niece. I have busi- 
ness with my officers. Then I shall need 
you. 

HEP: I must do your bidding. Come, 
Rachel, if you will consent to be alone with 
me. 

RACHEL: Uncle, I will gladly go with 
you. 

(Exit with Hepworth L. C.) 

CROM: Sanctify, inform the officers that 
I await them. 

SANC: (Salutes.) Aye, General. (Moves 
down R.) Would I might read the fate of 
our Lieutenant from his face, but it is a 
mask of iron. 

(Exit R.) 

CROM: (Walking up and down.) The 
plot's at end. The men who planned it be 
helpless in my hands and the enemy hath 
been defeated in the field. By the end of 
this campaign we shall command the North 
from Humber to Tyne. This should awake 
the South and Charles be forced to sue for 
terms. Yet this will not come at once. The 
King is stubborn and intrigues with foreign 
Courts. The Scots care too much for creed 
and covenant; while of our own people how 
few fight for the Lord, how many for them- 
selves. But if we pass onward steadfastly 
we cannot fail. We have drawn the sword 
for liberty. We must not sheathe it until 
liberty be won. Peace. Peace! Nay, there 
shall be no peace. I will never rest, nor let 
others rest until freedom smiles upon our 
land; until just laws govern us; until every 
man, however lowly in estate, hath power 
and opportunity to worship God as his con- 
science doth dictate, and live as becomes an 
Englishman. 

(Enter Madam Cromwell on gallery C.) 

(Aside.) Mv mother comes. I know her 



THE IllUX SIDES. 

errand. The fate of our poor lad troubleth 
her sore. (Goes upstirs.) Mother, you must 
not descend alone; these stairs are steep. 
(Takes her arm within his own.) 

MADAM C: Tut! My infirmity is not so 
great as that. If I lean upon thee it is 
more from pleasure than from need. I like 
to lean on thee, dear son. 

CROM: Yet you have come to chide me. 

MADAM C: I have not spake a word. 

CROM: I read it in your face. 

MADAM C: There are few faces that 
thou dost not read. But tell me, Oliver— I 
know those officers of thine will be here in 
briefest space— what will become of Ralf— 
Ralf. whom I love better— may the Lord for- 
give me— than I love my grandsons. 

CROM: The issue resteth with the court- 
martial. 

MADAM C: They will condemn him unto 
death? 

CROM: I fear they will. 

MADAM C: And then— what will thou 
say to it? 

CROM: I must confirm the sentence. 

MADAM C: Thou wilt do— what? 

CROM: Confirm the sentence. 

MADAM C: Then I will never call thee 
"son" again. 

('ROM: Mother! 

MADAM C: Silence! Think not to deal 
with me as thou doest deal with men. I am 
thy mother, and, old and broken as I am. 
my strength all gone, my limbs palsied and 
mv eyes grown dim, yet, Oliver, I am thy 
mother still. 

CROM: Be calm. 

MADAM C: Silence! It is thou, not th's 
petty ring of soldiers, who holdeth th's 
man's life. He hath mutinied, ye say, and 
that's a hangine; matter. Oh ye men — ye 
purblind men! that would destroy the best 
amoner ye for a f ew written words ye call a 
mflitarv code. He mutinied, thank God for 
that! The srrandson of my Ralf could do no 
less. So doth the eaglet treat a carrion 
crow— thy precious Captain whom at last 



THE IRONSIDES. 

ye have found out. Had Ralf not mutinied, 
would he have been fit to lead thy troop? 
Would he have crushed those cavaliers? 
Would Stanisby fight be thine? Answer. 

CROM: Mother, you know not what you 
say. I, too, love Ralf. He hath many faults, 
but yet such rare qualities that he standeth 
upright before his God— a man. But 
though I love him; nay, because I love h*m, 
I must look neither to the right nor to the 
left, but keep only one thought in my mind 
—justice. He hath broke a law. If others 
broke it our army would crumble into bits, 
and our cause be lost forever. Why should 
he not suffer? There may be a reason. But 
it shall not be because I love him. We 
must do the right, dear mother, and leave 
the issue unto God. 

MADAM C: Oliver, I knew not to whom 
I spoke. I thought of thee only as the son 
I bore five and forty years ago. Now I see 
thee as thou art. Thy soul soareth far 
above mine own. Indeed, my son, thou 
knowest best. I leave it in your hands. 

CROM: So that I have your blessing, 
mother, I am well content. 

MADAM C: Thou hast it, dearest son. 

(Madam C. moves up stairs onto gallery. 
Enter officersR.) 

CROM: A welcome, gentlemen. 

PAIR: We thank you, General for your 
hosnitalitv. 

CROM: Then let us speedily unto the 
business of the day. Corporal, inform Lieu- 
tenant Dangerfield that we require his pres- 
ence. 

(They take their seats at table L, Crom- 
well at the head.) 

(Enter Ralf, guarded by Pikemen.) 

CROM: Lieutenant Dangerfield, by order 
of the convener of tlr's court-martial, I call 
upon you to show cause, if thou canst, why 
the sentence passed upon you at Stainsby 
House should not be executed. 

RALF: I can show no cause but one. I 
do admit the mutiny, but plead that as the 
alternative was a massacre of unarmed 
men, T had no choice. 
S 



THE IRONSIDES. 

STRICK: Your duty was obedience. 

RALF: My conscience forbade me to 
stand by and see a murder done. 

FAIR: If your. argument were allowed to 
stand no commander would maintain his 
authority a day. He would ever have to 
submit his actions to the approval of his 
men. It is no argument. 

CROM: Doth the Court reject the plea? 

ALL: Aye, aye. 

RALF: I have no other. 

CROM: Then the former ruling holdeth 
good— unless the prisoner can show proof 
of valiant service to the cause, when the 
Court might modify his sentence. 

(Deep hum of approval from troopers.) 

RALF: I crave the pardon of the Court, 
but I shall not so waste its time. I ask for 
justice, not for mercy. If you deem that 
justice doth demand my death, I place my 
life at your disposal as freely as when I 
ventured it upon the field and met the 
King's troopers in the charge. 

(Loud murmur of approval from soldiers.) 

CROM: Silence! 

FAIR: The prisoner's words are grateful 
to the ear, but we be not free agents in this 
matter. We are here to carry out the code 
of military law. There is but one punish- 
ment for mutiny and treason, and that 
punishment is death. 

(Officers murmur assent.) 

CROM: I may not gainsay the sentence. 
(Sob from Betty on gallery.) But before I 
do confirm it I desire the Court to hear a 
witness who hath ridden many miles to give 
his evidence. The Viscount Charlton is here 
under a safe conduct from the Commander- 
in-Chief. Will the Court hear him? 

FAIR: How can we take the word of one 
notoriously in favor of the prisoner. 

CROM: Ye may trust his word. But that 
no doubts shall find a place in any mind I 
will confront him with Dangerfield's ac- 
cuser. Corporal, request the Viscount to 
attend the Court, and then bring in thy 
prisoner. 



THE IRONSIDES. 

(Sanctify salutes and exits C. Doors then 
open. Enter Lord Charlton and two cava- 
liers. 

TROOPER: My Lord the Viscount Charl- 
ton. 

(E uter Capell, bound, guarded by troopers 
with swords drawn.) 

CHARL: Your servant, General Crom- 
well. 

CROM: We thank you, my Lord, for 
your presence here. I should inform you 
that Lieutenant Dangerfteld is condemned, 
but execution of his sentence waits until 
the Court have heard what your Lordship 
hath to say. 

CHARL: Thank God, then, I'm in time. 
Sirs, you have condemned an honest man. 
I come not as an enemy to-day. but appeal 
unto ye as to Englishmen who love justice 
and fear God. This man is innocent. In- 
deed, ye owe him thanks for what he did. 
I had a riffht to quarter. 

FAIR: That we do deny. 

CHARL: I will prove it from the written 
words of yonder Captain. Here, General, 
are the terms he offered me before the as- 
sault began. 

CROM: (Reading.) Captain Capell de- 
mandeth the surrender of Stainsby House 
within two hours. 

CHARL: Lieutenant Dangerfield— alack 
that I must own it — reduced it within one. 

CROM: In that event, if no blood were 
shed, quarter was to be given unto all. 

FAIR: There was dispute and loss of 
godly lives? 

CHARL: Alas! sirs, I am compelled to 
tell you we had no such fortune — I mean 
such a disaster was averted. 

CROM: Captain Capell, dost thou deny 
his Lordship's words? 

CAPELL: I have naught to say. 

CHARL: That is well for you. A pity 
you ever spake at all. 

STRICK: H's Lordship puts a new com- 
plexion on affairs. 

FAIR: Stay. My Lord Charlton, thou 

10 



THE IRONSIDES. 

hast put thy head into the lion's mouth by 
coming here. General, I pray you call ■ as 
witness before the Court Reuben Sweetlove, 
Quartermaster in your first troop. 

CROM: Sweetlove, stand forth— and speak 
the truth. 

SWEET: Please the honourable Court, 
when T was in charge of the prisoners after 
Stainsby House was taken, I overheard the 
Viscount say unto Sir Richard Greville, who 
standeth now beside him, these words: 
"Dangerfield hath done the King good ser- 
vice. I will commend him unto Rupert. He 
should be loved by all true cavaliers and 
treated as a friend. 

CROM: Wilt swear to this upon thine 
oath? 

CHARL: No need for that. My faith, the 
fellow hath a wondrous memory. I said all 
this and more. 

FAIR: Then doth the prisoner stand con- 
demned as traitor by his own best friend. 

CHARL: Soft, good sir, soft! I spake 
these words; but not with the meaning that 
you graft upon them. What I meant then— 
what I mean now— is that by the act which 
I have described to you, and which cannot 
be denied. Dangerfield deserved well of his 
King, of Rupert, my Commander, of all 
true cavaliers and of all true Englishmen. 
Alas! he is not a cavalier. He is the stern- 
est rebel that I know. But he is a brave 
and honest man and a worthy soldier in 
your cause. I now leave it, gentlemen, to 
vou to say whether I have not spoke the 
"truth. 

CROM: The Court must now give judg- 
ment. 

CHARL: One last word, gentlemen. I 
bear a message from my royal master, His 
Majesty King Charles. 

(Cavaliers uncover. Some Parliament of- 
ficers also, until they see that Cromwell 
does not move.) 

His Majesty, God bless Ir'm, eommandeth 
me to say that as ye were his subjects once, 
and when this sad war doth end may be 

11 



THE IRONSIDES. 

again, he would ask a favour at your hands 
—the pardon of your Lieutenant for his 
breach of discipline. If ye will do this act 
ye will lay His Majesty under an obligation 
which at some fitting opportunity he will 
graciously discharge. 

CAVALIERS: God save the King. 

CROM: Touching the message that the 
King hath been pleased to send us, I do 
thank Mis Majesty. (Raising his hat.) Sirs, 
your judgment. 

STRICK: I say let the sentence be re- 
voked. 

CROM: I will take your votes. Those of 
a like opinion unto this say "Aye." 

OFFICERS: Aye. 

CROM: Those of a contrary opinion, 
"Nay." 

(Silence.) 

Lieutenant Dangerfield, thou hast been 
pardoned by the Court and may go free. 

(Cheers from soldiers. Charlton and Ralf 
shake hands.) 

CAPELL: General Cromwell, I crave a 
word with you alone. 

CROM: I hold no private converse with 
you, sir. If you have anything to say, speak 
now. 

CAPELL: These bonds gall me. Give me 
a respite from them. 

CROM: Guard, loose him. 

CAPELL: (Stepping nearer to Crom.) I 
wish to know why it is you treat me with 
such severity. 

CROM: Thou art a fellon and a traitor. 

CAPELL: King Charles doth say the 
same of you. Tf I have offended you— so 
hath Lord Willoughby. Why Is he not here? 

CROM: My Lord honourably delivered 
h'mself unto the officers of Parliament. 
Thou tried to run away. 

CAPELL: Nay, that is not the reason, 
sirs. It is because to those like unto me, 
who dares dispute his will, this Cromwell 
is a bitter persecutor. 

CROM: Have a care; I would be merciful, 
but try me not too far. 

12 



THE IRONSIDES. 

CA.PELL: Do what you will. I shal' but 
laugh. I staked all upon a throw and lost. 
The wheel of fortune fools call the will of 
God gave one sharp turn and I was crusn- 
ed, you saved. Yet even in this hour of 
triumph, Cromwell, fate hath you in her 
grasp. 

STRICK: A truce to thy prating or I will 
strike thee down. 

CAPELL: Strike, coward; I have no 
arms. 

CROM: Let him be, good Colonel. I 
would all men should see him as he really 
is. 

CAPELL: They shall see more than they 
reckon for. You sway an army, Cromwell, 
and some day would sway a nation. You 
see yourself a King, on a throne upheld by 
SLeel. But you're mistaken. Your hour hath 
come — die! 

(Springs at Cromwell with a knife which 
he draws from secret pocket. Women 
shi.ek. Men rush forward. Cromwell 
catches Capell by the neck, holds him at 
arms' length and casts him backwards on 
the ground. Soldiers draw swords to kill 
him. Cromwell raises his hand.) 

CROM: Wait. Nay, mother, I am not 
hurt tne least. Capell, thou hast done the 
worst a man may do. I give thee to thy 
troop. (Growl from soldiers.) But first, this 
word: Think not you ever once deceived 
me by your smooth hypocrisy. I struck not 
before because I strike such men as you 
but once. Go— go unto your fate. May God, 
who judges all, have mercy on your soul. 

'Turns away while Capell is dragged out. 
Then lays one hand on Ralf's shoulder, the 
other on Lord Charlton's, standing between 
them.) 

I have now a word to say that concerns 
another man. Gentlemen, and you our ene- 
mies—nay, I will not use that word to-day— 
our noble friends who are fighting for the 
King, I call all to witness that I do hereby 
promote Lieutenant Dangerfield to be Cap- 
tain of my first troop of horse, 

13 



SEP 12 19UU 



THE IRONSIDES. 

(Cheers from soldiers.) 

And there is another thing that must be 
done. Presbyter Hepworth come hither. 

(Hepworth, who has entered previously 
with Rachel, comes down C. Rachel stands 
with Ralf.) 

Presbyter, once you did me a cruel wrong. 
God hath placed it within your power to 
make me reparation. Captain Dangerfield 
doth love your niece and speks her hand in 
marriage. That hand she may not give to 
any one except by your consent. I call upon 
you now to give the bethrothal of these two 
your blessing, and thus wash out forever 
the remembrance of what you tried to do. 

HEP: (Bowing his head in prayer and 
raising it.) Cromwell, you have conquered. 
.Listen, all here present. I, like unto that 
miserable man who hath just gone to his 
account, did plan the ruin of the General. 
He would have hid my crime, but I will not 
have it hid. Before ye all I do declare that 
I, too, deserve to die. I have also done a 
bitter wrong to Captain Dangerfield. I 
crave his forgiveness. 

RALF: Indeed you have it, sir. 

HEP: Then, son. thou art a truer Chris- 
tian than I. But unto Rachel, my niece, be- 
loved of my soul, I have done the bitterest 
wrong of all. 

RACHEL: Uncle, say no more. I would 
forget it all. 

HEP: T shall not forget— and if I did God 
would not. But enough. Ralf Dangerfield. 
thy hand. Rachel, thine. General Crom- 
well, officers and soldiers of the Army of 
Parliament, as legal guardian of this maid 
I do give my full consent to her betrothal 
with tlvs man. May the Almighty bless 
them both. And may He bestow on thee. 
General Cromwell, honour, happiness and a 
lone' life. 
CHARL: Amen! 

CROM: (Taking Rachel's and Ralf's 
hands from Hepworth. Those whom God 
hath joined let no man put asunder. 

ALL: Amen, Amen! 

CURTAIN. 



